The Rev. Dan Rondeau
St. Margaret's Episcopal Church & School
Ecclesiasticus 44:1-10, 13, 14 | Psalm 149 | Ephesians 1:15-23 | Matthew 5:1-12
Thanks be to God, you are here today. Thanks be to God, I am here
today. It is a great day to be part of St. Margaret’s Episcopal
Church in Palm Desert.
Since arriving in 1993, this has been the song of my heart:
thanks be to God, today is a great day to be part of St.
Margaret’s (and beyond that, the Episcopal Church, and
encompassing it all, The Church—the Body of Christ).
This is the second part of a two part reflection on the gifts received here over the years. I offer my reflection about what it is I love about St. Margaret’s, why I am eager to stay with you and support the mission and ministry of this parish, and why I am eager to invite you to do the same. It is, in effect, a love letter to you delivered in person.
In our Collect today we acknowledged God’s power and God’s creativity as we prayed: “Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord….” Last week we were invited to take our patch of the fabric of St. Margaret’s and decorate it and bring it back. I enjoyed Robert’s meditation last week and it has shaped this part of my reflection. I hope that you have brought your patch back to be shared; if you haven’t bring it next Sunday.
When I’m finished, I hope you will understand better what it is
that I love about St. Margaret’s, why I am eager to stay with you
and support the mission and ministry of this parish, and why I am
eager to invite you to do the same.
It is impossible to name everyone who is a part of this weaving.
I can only name a few of the people who have become part of my
weaving. I can only describe a little of the spirit I find so
exciting here. I can mention only a couple of events. Know that
there is so much more. Know that you, who listen to me today, are
part of this weaving.
I have decorated this piece of the larger picture quite simply. The Jerusalem Cross is at the center of the weaving. I am here because along the way I was introduced to Jesus Christ—the cross being the symbol of the immense nature of God’s love for me in Jesus Christ.
It is not just any cross in the center of this piece. It is the Jerusalem Cross. The Jerusalem Cross has become associated in the Coachella Valley, and in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, with St. Margaret’s in Palm Desert. Putting that cross in the center of my weaving is to say that this place and this family are at the center of my unique weave—thanks be to God. At the center of my weaving then, is the love of God made known in this place and this parish family.
The various threads, woven together come from this center: Christ
made known in the words and example you set before me, you share
with me, you form with me.
On this All Saints Sunday I began to make a list of the men and
women who have gone before me through the “grave and gate of
death” to newness of life.1 A partial listing includes Brad Hall,
by whose invitation I came to be at St. Margaret’s, by whose
vision we started on the remarkable journey that continues today;
Ted Pearson, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our
worship space beautiful and inviting; Carrie Cameron whose smile
and enthusiasm lit up the room, whose caring made the difference
between “making it” and “giving up” for so many; Belva Baker who
even while she was dying continued to ask first about others and
who continued to pray for others right up to her death; Donna
Norman whose faith and courage always humbled me; Lowell Hunt who
was patient and faithful even as his body slowly died; Harry
Kavanaugh who even while he weakened smiled and laughed—hallmarks
of his service as an usher here—and found a way to make me feel
better from his hospital bed.
I remember Helen and Joe Wolstencroft, married 65 years, and as devoted to each other in their last days as they were on their wedding day. I remember Lee Karns whose generous giving of time, talent, and treasure, flowed from a grateful heart and an understanding of the Gospel—that Jesus came to serve, not to be served. I remember Nancy Watson whose faithful service and generous gift of time and talent and treasure has helped us come to this juncture in our journey. I remember Carolyn Marshall—a graceful woman whose warmth, and smile and faith in her Lord were radiant right up to the end. I remember Steve Snider who in the summer before he died entered heart and soul into the character of Jesus Christ for the children of our Vacation Bible School. More importantly, I believe, Jesus Christ entered heart and soul into Steve as he became ill. His was a remarkable and lovely faith.
These and so many others are part of my weave. The cross at the center of my weave represents the gift of coming to know them in this place and in this family and learning from them the deep love God bears us in Jesus Christ, a love profoundly revealed in their hope and courage and trust; in their lives, well lived. There is more. On this All Saints Sunday, I look out, I look around, and I remember the weaving God has accomplished with us; I enjoy the weaving God continues with you and me; and I anticipate the weaving God intends to do with us. It is all a gift, thanks be to God.
Brad Hall set out a vision of a 7-day-a-week Church. Robert and the Vestry's that have served with him, Robert and the Staff he has gathered, continue to guide and shepherd us in that vision. Friday and Saturday of this week illustrate how far we have come and offer a challenge for us to continue.
Friday our St. Margaret’s School was in full session with learning and excitement being shared by over 150 students, 20 faculty and staff, and parents, grandparents, and other family members of our school. The Parish Staff worked a full day in their various ministries in our Office, then helped with our Welcome Back Round Up in the evening. Chet Hecht, who coordinated the various elements of the Round Up, with lots of hands on help from Bill Harris, Debby Jansma and Shivaun Nelson (not to mention, Ahmo, Richard, Norma, and Maria), was here when I came in and were the last to leave Friday night.
At 9:00 am on Friday, the women of the St. Margaret’s Guild were meeting in Meyers and planning for the Annual Winter Potluck Luncheon and for the year; later, at Noon, an Alanon Group (one of six 12-Step groups using our facility) met, our hospital visitor, Cherry Remboldt, called on Episcopalians at Eisenhower Hospital, I shared communion with Jim Smith and his homebound wife, Patricia. I visited with Robert Welsch, who, with his brothers, gathered as their mother finished her life in this world.
There’s more. The Cellar Door volunteers and staff were finishing another day of business for God’s glory, and preparing for their Saturday opening. Pam Harris and I welcomed Jared Flynn and Kara Wiley and their families as they rehearsed for the wedding that occurred Saturday. At the same time, the Jewish congregation Har-el gathered for their first Sabbath Service of the Season in Meyers Education Center, the Country Western Band, Nitro Express, was setting up, and the parish family was arriving for the Welcome Back Round Up.
On Saturday, those who are hospital bound were visited by Jean
Smith, the Altar Guild—Team One prepared for the weekend
services: two baptisms, a wedding, and three services of Holy
Communion. The Cellar Door was again open for business. I met and
prayed with Robert Welsch and his brothers, at their mother’s
bedside; Betty Clare Moffatt returned to her Lord with the love
of her sons and the prayers of the church yesterday afternoon. I
officiated at the wedding of Jared and Kara; last night we
baptized Grady Flaherty—whose mother and father, Valerie and
Patrick, were married here in 1991—and here I am now with you,
thanks be to God.
And that is only a partial look at Friday and Saturday.
Volunteers and Staff are truly active 7-days (and nights)-a-week.
This is what I love about St. Margaret’s. This is what excites me and invites me to stay and work alongside you. No matter how imperfectly, no matter how inconsistently, no matter how distractedly we offer ourselves, our words, and actions, we love God and neighbor; we are, 7-days-a-week, loving God and neighbor from this place and in all those places we find ourselves: home, neighborhood, school, work, and play.
The cross in the center of my weave symbolizes the love God has for me in Jesus Christ as he puts me together, and weaves me into the life and fabric of this place and this family. The Jerusalem Cross in the center of my weave symbolizes how much I have learned from you about the love of God as you reveal this in your words, and works, and in your very lives. The weave flowing through the cross and emanating from the cross is God’s gift to me and you—and it is beautiful.
So, as you receive your pledge invitation letter in our
Stewardship Season, consider the gifts of God you have received
in this place and as a member of this parish family. Understand
that even now by your presence and your generosity much has been
accomplished. Then, I invite you, with me and Carol, to share
with God and neighbor and to return thanks to God and neighbor,
in the offering of time, and talent, and treasure within the work
and ministry of our parish family. I pray that you will join me
and Carol in letting these offerings flow from a grateful heart.
Let me finish again with the prayer in my heart:
Grant, O God, that our Church—St. Margaret’s—may be as a city set upon a hill, growing and vital as a witness to your love, a powerhouse of prayer, and a joy and help to all who worship within its walls. Here may the tempted find strength and the sorrowful comfort. Here may the aged find consolation and the young be inspired. Show your mercy upon us, and grant us your salvation through Christ our Lord.
Amen.2
1 Prayers from the Burial Office, Rite I, BCP p. 480
2 Paraphrased; from Michael Counsel, 2000 Years of Prayer, p. 585