Isn’t it interesting, as our new Rector Chris Pappas joins us, and we begin the slow and deliberate re-entry into the building in the coming weeks that the following Hebrew Scripture reading comes to mind:

“Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. He humbled you by letting you hunger, then by feeding you with manna, with which neither you nor your ancestors were acquainted, in order to make you understand that one does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)

We have come a long way since the end of September. We have some distance to go, but I wanted to acknowledge our individual and collective journeys through the wilderness. Thank you for your hard work as a single person dealing with loneliness. Thank you for your hard work as a parent juggling work, kids, homeschool and living inside. Thank you for your hard work as a grandparent, aching for the touch of your children and grandchildren. Thank you for your hard work as a spouse with a sick partner, or a partner in long term care, missing their touch. Thank you for your hard work as a front-line retail grocery worker, putting yourself and your family at risk to ensure that other families were fed and necessities available. Thank you to front-line healthcare workers, homeless shelter workers, postal workers, paramedics, firefighters, and police, keeping us as safe as possible. Thank you to all of us who continue to social distance, who wear masks, who stay home and wash our hands.

We have been in the wilderness, but we have seen the promised land! We can see hope, we can feel the pull of God’s Love!

And so, I’m curious, and I invite you to reflect on the following questions, as we move into this emerging time together, if you wish:

Where have you experienced God in this wilderness?
What are the emerging moments of light for you these days?
What is your prayer for the future of the Cathedral communities?

With deep gratitude and affection for all of you.