Reclaiming the Fire of God's Love for You: A Response to June 16

Dear Saint Stephen's Community,

I’m not sure these were the words that I expected to hear, but the words of our former rector, the Rt. Rev. Russell Kendrick, offered in his July 10 homily have inspired me since I first heard them on Sunday morning. Russell invited our congregation to “reclaim the fire of God’s love for our lives.” Russell preached that we must be ready to cross over the threshold of fear into our Christian faith, just as many of us were about to cross over the threshold once again into our Parish Hall.  

If I may be so bold, many of you have already reclaimed the fire of God’s love for our lives. Our church has shown up again and again over the past month. Each of you are teaching your clergy and the whole world what it means to live out our faith in love. Thank you for all that you are doing. 

The question I am most asked, every single day is simple – and, considering how Saint Stephen’s has responded and modeled love, will not be surprising. The question is, “What can I do?” I want to affirm that I think many of you are already doing it: showing up and offering to help. These actions continue to provide strength, comfort, and encouragement in a challenging time. At the same time, our actions have turned what is painful, broken, and horrific into a space of profound hope in the witness of our faith.   

We have created a survey to be more intentional about connecting you to the ministries of the parish where support is most needed and to make sure you are connected to the very things that are lifegiving and supportive in your own faith. We are called not only to reclaim the fire of God’s love for our own lives, but also to keep the fire going for one another and our community.   

I pray that you will take the time to fill out our survey. You don’t have to check off everything. Maybe one or two new things will be all that is necessary to keep the fire burning and live out your Christian faith in a more intentional way. I give thanks for the many ways people show up and offer their gifts of time, talent, and treasure. I hope and pray that we all continue to grow in our knowledge and love of God. 

Faithfully, 

The Rev. John B. Burruss

Rector