Dear Friends,

Each Sunday we pray for birthdays and milestones with words that begin, “O God, our times are in your hands…” These times we inhabit are fraught with difficulty and turmoil; and I often wonder what it really and practically means to have our times be in God’s hands.

During the past three days, merciless wildfires have ravaged large portions of Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles. Lives have been lost, many have been injured, homes are destroyed, and communities, like Pacific Palisades and Altadena, are mostly gone. As of this writing, new fires are igniting and almost no containment has been achieved.
These fires are among other recent tragedies and concerns, like a historic blizzard and dangerously cold weather in the Midwest and South, an evil attack on New Year’s Eve revelers in New Orleans, and the impending inauguration of a presidential administration that portends to upend much of life in this country as we know it.

We live in anxious days, for sure. It is overwhelming. If our times are in God’s hands, then perhaps that knowledge is what helps us to keep going with faith and courage. We go together, because you are the most tangible expression of God’s presence to me and to one another. In our presence with each other—in generosity, solidarity, and advocacy—we consecrate these times to good aims and God’s ends in the face of daunting challenges.

This week, to support relief efforts in LA, I invite us to make a special contribution to Episcopal Relief & Development here, which works on a grassroots model through local dioceses and parishes, or some other relief organization of your preference. This is one first step we can take now to support our siblings who are losing so much. And, right here where we are, let’s reach out to one another with encouragement and offers of real care. Write a note or make a phone call to someone who is ill, or meet up for coffee for connection and care. Keep showing up to one another. In all of this, we will build faith and persistence and trust that God has got us.

With you,

Scott+
The Rev. R. Scott Painter, Rector
Email: scottp@stmaa.org