Hello, Friends!
       I'm finding it hard to come up with words adequate to express my gratitude for all the kind gestures that have come our way this month, in the course of your participation in "Pastor Appreciation Month."   My recurrent thoughts have been along the lines of "I really don't deserve this" or "You shouldn't have!"   At one point  when I had said something like that yet again, my wise husband  reminded me that such a reaction was exactly the opposite of what the  folks were going for, and I should cut it out, and just be grateful.
        Tom Webber reminded us of our cultural tendency a couple of  weeks ago, when he remarked that it's sad, but we seem to find it easier to react to negative criticism than to people saying nice  things about us.   Someone offers a gracious or appreciative remark,  and we say "This old thing?"  or "It's nothing!"  or "You shouldn't  have!"  What we're really saying is that we don't want to be mistaken  for someone who's proud or self-centered or arrogant.   Or maybe what we're really saying is that we really can't believe we're worthy of love and affirmation.
       So I thank you, Dear Friends, for your generosity, your thoughtfulness, and your creativity in the notes, cards, beautiful objects and luxurious indulgences with which you have been showering  me and mine all this month.  Special thanks to Diane Suder for organizing the enterprise, and enlisting so much faithful, daily attention.   We all know how high she sets the thoughtfulness bar for  the rest of us, and I have a whole new appreciation for how very much  simple expressions of care can transform the landscape of an entire  day (or more).   I'll be basking in and benefitting from your benevolence for some time, and I fully intend to set about being more intentional in showing appreciation to those in my circles of awareness and relationship--beginning with the fellowship of faithful ones that  constitute the St. Luke community.  There are so many priceless and  unique gifts represented here, so much good-heartedness and  creativity, so much open-minded availability to the Spirit's wisdom, I can't help but believe God has amazing things in store for our 
fellowship, and for our capability to share Christ's love in all kinds of new, expansive, life giving ways.
        The truth is, everyone is worthy of love, and all of us are loved, completely, unconditionally, mercifully and wisely, by the God who has created, and is creating, who has come in the one we call Christ to welcome and make new--and we are called to be the church. as one of our favorite creeds reminds us--and we are not alone.   We live in God's world.
        Thanks to your lovely reminders, I can take new delight in that truth, and in living and loving in the world.  
        I look forward to living with you this Sunday, our day of remembrance of the loving ones who have gone before, and all our days to come.

Shalom,
Sarah