St. Margarets Episcopal Church in Palm Desert California

A Letter from Lane

Lane Hensley First posted on June 1, 2010

Dear Friends,

"To the church of God that is in Palm Desert, including all the saints throughout the Coachella Valley: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
2 Cor. 1a-2, para.

Well, St. Paul is a little formal. Let me try this in my own words: "Woo hoo!"

I am honored and delighted to accept your Vestry's call to serve as your sixth rector. I'm honored because I'll be serving in the legacy of faithful and Spirit-filled predecessors, and delighted because Becky and I have fallen in love with every person we've met from the parish and the school. Your hospitality, your love of excellence in your shared worship and ministries, and your love for each other captured our hearts and imagination from the first time we spoke.

And after a long, cold, Chicago winter, southern California seems really nice. That earthquake last month was a fluke, right?

There is so much I want to tell you. I want to tell you about my wife Becky; our twins, Bob and Nell; and me. I want to tell you about why the ministry of congregations excites me. I want to tell you how impressed I am with your Calling Committee, your Vestry, your staff, your bishop, your music, your outreach, your school, your interim rector and head of school, your new head of school, your connections to your community, your leadership in your diocese, and your willingness to hope and dream with joy. I'll save that up for future communications between now and the time I join you in the desert.

For the moment, let me say simply thank you. Thank you for calling me and my family to share in all the abundant life that St. Margaret's has to offer because our Lord is so good to us all. We can't wait to know all of you.

Come to think of it, why wait?

You can "friend" me on Facebook. There are at least three Lane Hensleys on Facebook – I'm the one with the collar.
You can pray for me and know that I'm praying for you.

You've waited a long time while your Calling Committee searched with great care, and you've steered with courage through difficult realities during your transition period. The history of God's people teaches us to expect that. And God's great love for us always shows up with more than we can ask or imagine. You are worth the wait and the effort you've given. We'll see you soon.

Faithfully yours,
Lane Hensley

Please click here to read a short biography of the Rev. Lane Hensley