​At the Diocesan Leadership Conference a few weeks ago, the Reverend Kimberly Jackson talked about how she became an Episcopalian. As a young black woman who grew up Southern Baptist, she had no idea there even was an Episcopal Church – let alone that she might want to serve in one.  Her introduction to Episcopal worship came at a coffee shop when a caring friend told her his story. 

Rev. Jackson invited us to think about our story. What brought us to the Episcopal Church? To St. Paul’s? What keeps us here? When we know how to talk about our faith and our community, it’s much easier to invite others to share in it.  If we don’t use words to describe it, it’s awfully hard for others to know just what they’re missing.
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This Sunday, we’ll dig deep into how we can vitalize our outreach. We’ll consider how to share the good news of Christ with others in a way that’s not preachy, just personal; that’s not off-putting, but instead is inviting. It’s quite simple. 
As we anticipate Easter, think about whom you could invite to church.  We’ll be pulling out all the stops to make worship beautiful and engaging. It’s a great time to think of whom you’d like to bring along with you to enjoy it!

Seasons of penitence, such as Lent, are wonderful times for personal reflection. Penitence is always a transitional verb for Christians. We take stock of our sins and our disposition toward dysfunction.  Then we ask God to forgive, heal and transform us. Of course we can do this anytime, but Church Seasons are bookmarks for our lives -- they remind us of our need to take action.  And that is a gift!

As you take stock of your life, think about joining us tonight, Thursday evening March 1 and on the next three Thursdays, Marh 8, 15 and 22 (6 pm to 7:30). We'll be looking at the Virtues of Jesus' Passion.  There are four virtues that St. Thomas Aquinas highlighted and we'll consider.  They are: Patience, Humility, Appropriate Attachment, and Love.  We'll read Mark's account, and see how these virtues are highlighted in Jesus' passion and we'll consider how to develop these virtues in our own lives.

Aquinas writes, "Why did the Son of God have to suffer for us? There was a great need, and it can be considered in a twofold way: in the first place, as a remedy for sin, and secondly, as an example of how to act. 
Join me as we honor Jesus' actions and seek to act like him.

Pastor Rebecca+