Tacoma, WA 98465
As we left the church on Sunday, July 10, 2022, our hearts were full of love and gratitude! We are grateful for your faithful love, your prayers, your encouragement, and your support throughout the past almost 14 years that we’ve called St. Andrew’s our parish home. The first time we walked through the red doors for Sunday worship, we were warmly welcomed by folks we’d already known from the community, and through the years that circle of love has expanded – even as some dear saints have gained their heavenly reward and others have become “missionaries” in other communities. I felt incredibly blessed and humbled to preside and preach on Sunday in your midst. And all of our years of worshipping together, of serving Christ together, of celebrating together, and of mourning together hit home as I delivered my sermon and shared how now, in my heart, I understand the African notion of Ubuntu, “I am who I am because of you!”
The celebration after the service was a joy! As usual, you pulled out all of the stops, and it was wonderful to see so many of you – and so many friends from outside of St. Andrew’s. And Sienna certainly felt quite at home!
Thank you for the generous Almy gift certificate you gave me! I plan to purchase a home communion kit, a new alb, and a few other special items to remember you by.
I also wish to share with you how life-changing my pilgrimage with the Bishop’s group to the Holy Land was! I continue to savor – and unpack – just how transformative it was. I feel as though you all walked with me on the pilgrimage because of your prayers and your generous financial support of the ministries and charities we visited. As we arrived at our hotel in Tabgha, I presented the Bishop with an envelope bulging with almost $1700 in cash, the majority of which was from you! (I was relieved when the Bishop took responsibility for the cash!) Several of you have asked if I might offer a presentation,
which is certainly a possibility at some point.
Right now, everything still feels so liminal! Since being ordained to the priesthood and then leaving the following morning on pilgrimage, I’ve been home for a total of ten days, a time of returning to St. Andrew’s and also of preparing to begin my part-time position as associate priest at Epiphany. I’m still processing so many facets of this transformation – and transition! Dave and I continue to hold you dear! We have no plans to leave Tacoma and hope not only to stay in touch, but also to pop in at fellowship activities from time to time. We continue to pray for each of you, for Fr. Tom, and for St. Andrew’s as you move forward into your own transition and prepare to call your new rector.
With deep gratitude and in Christ’s love,
Pam+