From this day forward - an explanation

Some of you are receiving this for the first time; others have been receiving this little note for a while. To those just joining, welcome. To those continuing the journey, this is a short reminder of the origin of these notes.

I began sending these notes in August, 2001 as I was recovering from surgery for prostate cancer. Here is what I wrote:

Trying something new here. Everyone on this distribution list is a member or friend of St. Margaret’s or was married at St. Margaret’s. In fact, I was privileged to officiate at many of your weddings. During my recuperation time I have had a chance to read and think and pray.

Among other things I have thought and read a lot about the role of the church in helping couples “be married” (which is a lot different from “getting married” which consumes a lot of time and financial resources and is quite exhilarating). In particular I was humbled by several articles suggesting that churches—especially “Mainline Churches”—often do not support the newly married very well. Some respectable research (completed by a group at Creighton University) indicates that many new marriages fall apart in the first five years. The researchers went on to urge churches to do more to be supportive in those first five years.

Some of you are working your way to the five year mark; others of you have passed that milestone. All of you have touched my heart as you work at being married; as you daily renew the covenant you made with God and your spouse.

So, in response to the research (and because it is a good thing to do), I send along a link to an article from Marriage Partnership entitled, The Case for Marriage, supporting you in your marriages and ask you if you would like to begin an informal, irregular, online support network. My goal is to do what I can to support you all, share resources with you, encourage you and, of course, welcome your encouragement in return.

Overwhelmingly, I have been encouraged to continue sending these notes. The little group that began in August 2001 has expanded considerably. It now includes those who are engaged or considering marriage and it is sent to those who are working with engaged and married couples (like other ministers and counselors).

To both new and continuing readers: Thank you for your encouragement, thank you for revealing to the world, by your love and commitment, the “mystery of the union between Christ and his Church.” I take seriously my promise to do “all in my power” to uphold you in your vows, and will continue to pray for you and correspond with you in these notes.

I will continue to send prayers, meditations, practical suggestions, research, "random thoughts" and other things to help you, and to help me, renew the love in our marriages, to strengthen commitment, to deepen the enjoyment, to encourage us all to live into our vows with God’s grace, wisdom, and blessing.

As I stated then, so I say now, I thank God that you are a part of my life, and I pray that God bless you all “real good” in your marriages.