Just a year ago, the talk of St. Mary’s parish was all about the new priest who would be arriving on August 1st. Eventually, Jim Riedel, Senior Warden, gave us some details about him. His name was Jeff Lewis, married with three sons. He had done some exciting things – serving as a Naval officer and heading up an Outward Bound School – before heeding God’s call to ordination as a Priest. Since then, he had served in parish ministry and as chaplain at two Episcopal schools. He was described as a dynamic leader, a dedicated teacher, and a nurturing pastor. Oh, and he loved to surf!
Finally his first Sunday came, and there he was with his big smile, saying “Thanks for coming to church!” Hearing him say that – along with his sermons which generally start with an amusing anecdote and move into sound spiritual teaching – seem to make us pretty glad to be in church.
As I reflect on the past year, I see that the pews are full of happy people, our many outreach projects are strong, the buildings are getting repairs and sprucing up, and “Stone Soup” Bible Study gathers monthly, to name a few things. It will be exciting to see what this next year will bring to our beloved church, under Fr. Jeff’s energetic leadership.
To celebrate the anniversary of Jeff, Susan, and Alden coming to be with us, there will be festive Coffee Hours after both the 8 and 10 o’clock services on Sunday, August 19. Come celebrate, as Fr. Jeff often says, that “We are all in this together!”
With gratitude to God for the Lewis family,
Wendy Howe, assisting priest