God of course doesn't need any money, just as God doesn't need our worship and prayers. God will still be God whether or not we come to church and whether or not we give back to God. The reason we worship, the reason we give of our time and money to God, isn't for God's benefit, but for ours. When we worship God and when we give of our time and resources back to God, we are reminded of God's great love for us and that all things have been given to us by God.

It was just a few weeks ago that we celebrated the feast of St. Michael and All Angels, as I said, in an attempt to “keep Christianity weird” following the advice of Justin Brierley in his book “The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God.” This past week in chapter two of Tom Holland’s “Dominion” we covered some of the history of Ancient Israel, and in our class I noted that I didn’t necessarily agree with everything that Holland said in that chapter.

“St. Francis was a lean and lively little man; thin as a thread and vibrant as a bowstring; and in his motions like an arrow from the bow. All his life was a series of plunges and scampers: darting after the beggar, dashing naked into the woods...In appearance he must have been like a thin brown skeleton autumn leaf dancing eternally before the wind; but in truth it was he that was the wind.” - G.K. Chesterton, “St. Francis of Assisi”

Before I lay out a possible progression of steps that will help you get to the full daily Morning and Evening Prayer found in the BCP, I will say that I am always available to talk with you about your prayer life and offer suggestions for you and your particular life circumstances. Sometimes the Church uses the fancy phrase “Spiritual Direction” to describe this, but all it really is, is having a conversation about your relationship with God and your prayer life, and seeing how you might deepen that relationship.

(In the “Inwardly Digest” book, Olsen repeatedly compares being a Christian to being a runner. He says a true runner not only runs every day, even those days they don’t feel like it, but they also run with intention, and have a coach who helps them in their planning. So I am here as a spiritual coach, free of charge!)

I am also pleased to announce the Adult Education program for 2024-25. This year we will be picking off where last year’s “The Path” left off. The last of the books of the New Testament were written some time during the end of the first century. But the story of the love of God has continued ever since through the life of the Church these past almost 2,000 years. And so as a means of continuing the story that connects us here today in the 21st century all the way back to the first, we’ll be going a journey through Church history.

I am also pleased to announce the Adult Education program for 2024-25. This year we will be picking off where last year’s “The Path” left off. The last of the books of the New Testament were written some time during the end of the first century. But the story of the love of God has continued ever since through the life of the Church these past almost 2,000 years. And so as a means of continuing the story that connects us here today in the 21st century all the way back to the first, we’ll be going a journey through Church history.

A number of weeks ago in one of these emails I announced that we as a St. David’s community have the opportunity for a weekend away as a parish retreat the weekend of April 4-6, 2025.

This past February the Vestry and I went on retreat to the DeKoven Center in Racine, Wisconsin. We had a fantastic time (please ask any Vestry member!). It’s a beautiful setting right on Lake Michigan, and the food was great! The grounds have served a number of different purposes over the years, including being an Episcopal College and an Episcopal Convent. It currently is available as an event space (think weddings) as well as a retreat center.

Finally, I am happy to announce that You Sunday School is set to kick off on Sunday September 8th. This year it will take place 9:00-9:45 AM. Once again Mary Beth Darr has offered to organize a sort of “one room school house” Sunday School, which means that youth ages 3 through high school will all be together, offering an opportunity for intergenerational interaction!

Earlier in the Summer I invited all in the parish to join in reading a book published by Forward Movement: “Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book As Guide to a Spiritual Life” by Derek Olsen.

Earlier in the Summer I invited all in the parish to join in reading a book published by Forward Movement: “Inwardly Digest: The Prayer Book As Guide to a Spiritual Life” by Derek Olsen.

This week I have yet more dates for you to save! This year we are excited to host a table at the Glenview Blocktoberfest Kids Zone.

I cannot believe we are already to the month of August, the Summer always seems to fly by.

The time has finally come! This coming week, the parking lot will receive its much needed facelift. It does mean that the parking lot will not be accessible Monday July 29th - Saturday August 3rd. As long as we don’t have a week full of torrential rain, the parking lot will be ready for use again by Sunday.