It feels as though we have finally emerged from the pall of the pandemic. Although I understand the reasons, I am  saddened by our inability to gather together when we most needed to be together. Although, Covid and its variants are  still out there, I’m deeply grateful that we no longer have to deploy the precautions that disrupted our church life. We  have come close to regaining our pre-pandemic attendance and all of our ministries are operating “normally.”  

On a personal note, I did not realize the toll the past few years have taken until church became recognizable again.  Frankly – and I know I’m not alone in this – the pandemic was profoundly depressing. What is the point of ministering  to people when there are no people?!  

One study said that close to 50% of all ministers considered retirement or a change in vocation during the pandemic. I  won’t tell you which 50% I was in, but I will tell you that when the church roared back to life this past fall, my energy  and zeal and love for ministry at Christ Church roared back to life too. 

I will admit that one clear benefit of this ordeal has been the addition of our live-stream congregation. We bought some  top-notch equipment and hired a live-streamer (Thanks Colin Craig!) for our 9am and 11am services. We average 300- 400 views each week. Who knows how many viewers that equals. I do know that I hear from people all over the  country who tune in to Christ Church on Sunday mornings. 

Thanks be to God – and your overflowing generosity – our finances are in ship shape. If you are ready, willing, and  able, you can read about our finances and all the other facets of our broad reaching and deep diving parish life in the  reports that follow. Or, as always, you can just show up on a Sunday to hear, receive, and experience the life-changing  grace of God. 

I remain profoundly thankful for the staff, vestry, and people of Christ Church. It is my deepest honor and privilege to  continue to serve as your Rector. I very much look forward to what God has in store for us in 2023!