We have kicked off our Life Events Planning classes. Last Sunday Sherry from Pro-Health Hospice came to talk about options to have hospice care at home, in assisted living, in the hospital or in a residential program like Angel’s Grace. We learned a lot about what is possible, and some questions to ask as you research the best hospice option for you and your loved ones. This Monday (October 3) we will continue with a class on how to build our emotional resiliency. Change is hard, and big life changes can challenge our capacity to cope and make well-reasoned decisions. Marit will lead us in a discussion of some questions to ask now and strategies to help us make the decisions we want, rather than having the decisions make themselves. Join us at 6 p.m.
Diocesan Convention is October 7-8. Your St. Mary’s delegates will be heading to Milwaukee to vote on resolutions, elect delegates to Diocesan roles, approve the budget for 2023 and worship together. After two years of Convention on Zoom, I am looking forward to being able to gather with the people of the Diocese in person. Fond du Lac and Eau Claire are sending visitors to our convention, and we will send our own representatives to their conventions as we continue to explore options for mutual work and ministry. Please keep us in your prayers as we meet and discern our leaders and direction for the coming year.
As you discern and pray over your pledge to St. Mary’s, I hope you feel a sense of pride and joy for what you make possible. “St. Mary’s Church invites and welcomes all people to experience the new life promised in the Gospels. We celebrate faith in Jesus Christ through worship, support of one another, and service to others.” Your volunteer time, skills and money make it possible to welcome people into this place, to invite them to worship, formation, outreach and growth. Thank you for your support and commitment. St. Mary’s is only possible because our members decide it’s worth their time and also their finances. You ensure we have a clean and safe building to gather people together, and you fund your rector, parish administrator, music director and sexton. You let us devote our time and energy to building up this community. So thank you, and bless you.
Prayers and Blessings,
Mother Pippa