D-V's Desk

             Do you know what your name means?   Dawn, of course, means “break of day.”   Matthew means “gift of God.”   Linda means “beautiful” or “pretty.”   William means “resolute protector; will, desire; helmet, protection.”   I hated my name growing up.   I was the only Dawn in a sea of Jennifers and Michelles. You may recall in the Biblical world that names mean things.   Names are given to emphasize character traits or to recall circumstances surrounding the birth.   Esau is born hairy, hence his name.   Names also change in response to an encounter with God.   Jacob becomes Israel.   Simon is called Peter. Perhaps you also remember that to name something is to have power over the named.   Like when Adam names the creatures in Genesis 2.   The naming process gives Adam control over God’s creatures.   When I worked at Burger King college, I hated that people called me by m...

 In just a month we have a crucial day. Millions of us will go to the polls and vote. That is a great  privilege that we have as Americans. There was a woman in my first parish, Liz, who taught me the  value and importance of making my voice heard. Her example inspires me to  ensure that I show up and be counted in elections. You may recall that I don’t believe it is my place to tell you HOW to vote. That  is beyond my role as your pastor and priest. I do, however, encourage you to  get to know the people and any proposed legislation that will be on the ballot  for Tuesday, 5 November. I also encourage you to prayerfully examine your values and beliefs. What  matters most to you? Which candidate holds the values closest to yours? Please, please look at the  full picture. Do not just cherry pick one or two items. Then VOTE. Stand up and be counted. Let your voice be heard. Your vote matters.