I am writing this article in London. In part, this is an accident—I didn’t finish this task before leaving LA. In part, this writing time and place is one of God’s surprises-one of those moments when the Lord of our days says, “This is how I want things to be.”

There are several books on the desk as I write. One is a 2001 centennial history of the Diocese of Kensington, the home of our sister parish, All Saints, Notting Hill. Reading this history puts much in perspective. I can see how our faith is practiced “the same and very differently” in LA and London even though both rites are multi-cultural, interracial and poly-lingual. Here there is still a Christian witness “built in”; derived from centuries of Church life. At home we must make our way as pilgrims and promoters, Christians aware of their gifts; Christians confident in their Lord.

Today is Sunday and I had a God experience while sitting in a pew at Mass. All Saints has an interior that reaches up to the equivalent of five stories. The walls are saved from heaviness by the stately profusion of large, Gothic style windows filled with clear glass. As I sat in my place, there was a change in the outside weather; deep gray clouds shifted, brilliant blue sky arrived, sunlight and sun heat became strong and evident. For me, this was God sharing something of his reality-invisible but inescapable, requiring a response and offering a blessing.

Here is where All Saints, St. Nicholas and God interact. Our altars and our faith are guided and guarded by the same eternal heart of Love. Jesus Christ is alive and well for us all. There is so much reality in our personal faith that social witness is possible and sustainable; because we are faith people we become justice people, people who are love people sharing Good News.

Faith Fiesta will soon arrive at St. Nicholas. I will bring you a message from Fr. Brownsell here at All Saints. I will also bring my own refreshed dedication to being with you in our creative communication of God’s life and purpose. Our “new year” of programs is about to begin-plan on finding your place, plan on inviting others to make St. Nicholas their church.

Because we are committed to “classic faith for contemporary people”, much of our new year will look like old friends:

• Adult Bible study
• Holy days and Christian seasons
• Fellowship meals
• Excursion and pilgrimages
• Sunday School
• Altar service
• Glorious music every Sunday
• Seasonal Evensongs
• Ministry to the hungry and homeless by many and not by a few
• Prayers for all sorts and conditions

All the same, these familiar “envelopes’ will bring us new and on-going messages from the living God.

• New topics will be studied
• There is unexplored truth in our liturgies
• New friends will be found in new places
• Both our children and our heritage of vestments, symbols and environment will have strong witness
• Music will enrich the shape of our faith

In short, St. Nicholas will continue to be encouraged by one of the great Bible affirmations; ”The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom than shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1).

I share these thought with love for you all.

JEF+