January 2001

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you as you begin this New Year. I am at home on Sunday afternoon surrounded by snow. Somehow the snow gives meaning to winter and makes everything look so much lighter and cleaner. Thoughts come to mind of the sermon that was not given this morning about endings and beginnings and the meaning of life. The gospel lesson was the Prologue of John written most probably by the Beloved disciple who knew Jesus and was an eyewitness to the events he describes. One can imagine him around the year 100AD an old man reflecting on life and the meaning of Jesus for him and countless others and realizing that he must write this important testimony on paper for posterity. One can picture him thinking and remembering details which are so much a part of the story in the fourth gospel and deciding just what should be put to paper - and then having the support of the community for the actual writing. A profound way to celebrate his life.

Here we are on the edge of a new chapter in our own lives. It is a time to think of goals and resolutions ( if only for a short time) and to start anew. As we do this I encourage all of us to pause and think about what has meaning in life for us - family, work, career, travel, church. Celebrate it and reflect on why that is so. This comes wishing you God's blessings abundantly.

As we think about our corporate life we are mindful that the Annual Meeting is at hand. The date is January 21st following the 10:00AM service. As in the past it will be followed by a Potluck Luncheon. Those elected to the Vestry will go to the Holy Union Spiritual Life Center on Friday, January 26th and stay overnight to begin the process of praying together and working as a team. Please plan to be apart of the meeting and celebrate all that has happened at and to and for St. Anne's in the year of Our Lord 2000.

Peggy