Leading the Way . . . being light

Dear Friends in Christ -
A clergy colleague of mine wrote the following thoughtful, lovely article in his church's February newsletter. I want to share it with you because the statistics - and the call - are true for us, too!
Faithfully,
Janet+

Leading the Way . . . being light
"I think we have a task, a ministry to our communities this year. I think we are being called to be light bringers to a dark world, to be positive when so many are negative, to be bearers of hope the hopeless. To be people who can testify that good happens, prayer helps, justice matters, and being part of a church community is a blessing.
A minor miracle has happened, one which has given me much pause. We have more pledged for the mission and ministry of Christ Church in 2009 than we had pledged for 2008. It is not that we have been totally spared the effects of the economic downturn; we haven't. Some people had to cut their pledges, sometimes to zero, due to the economy. Yet, when you put it all together, we have more than last year.
It is still hard to believe, but the numbers are real, as are the signed pledge cards. God has continued to richly bless this congregation and our ministry together. And this just echoes the wonderful volunteer support we all experience every week, from ushers to church school teachers to cooks and on and on, five or six or sometimes seven days a week.
This is a positive place, a beacon of light in a very stressed and seemingly dark world. And I think that this year we need to work harder than ever before, we mostly shy New Englanders, to share that light with those around us. Not to build up our numbers, but to lighten people's burdens, to help them see in the darkness, to remind them that they are not alone, that we and God are with them. And as we all know, that support is worth a lot.
I don't usually declare annual themes, but I am this year. Let us be light to the world. Let us be light bearers so that in January 2010 we will be able to say - "the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light." And that part of that light was the Spirit shining through us. -- Peter (The Rev. Peter Stebinger, Rector - Christ Church, Bethany, CT)