Dear friends,
August 1 is a special day for me. It was on the first day of this month in 2004 that I began work at St. Dunstan’s. That is 20 years ago. I’ve been here for a third of St. Dunstan’s existence, two-thirds of the years I’ve been ordained, and almost 45 percent of my life. Anyway you look at it, it’s a long time.
We’ve been through a lot together in those 20 years. We made it through a great recession, a global pandemic, and numerous national tragedies. We have grieved together as we’ve commended beloved parishioners into God’s eternal care, and happily welcomed new children of God into our midst. We’ve been there for each other through surgeries and sicknesses. We’ve rejoiced together at weddings and baptisms; we’ve studied together, and eaten many meals together. We have cared for one another.
And we have cared for those outside our doors, living out God’s command to love our neighbors. We’ve helped refugees from Hurricane Katrina and Africa, from Syria and Myanmar to begin new lives. We’ve opened our doors to make a home for families who had none. We have relieved $6.2 million of medical debt for some of Atlanta’s poorest families, and given thousands of dollars to a seminary in Tanzania to provide medical care for those in that community. We’ve provided mountains of food and thousands of dollars to feed the hungry. We’ve given van loads of school supplies to children who might not otherwise have them. We’ve sent aid to victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, war, and tsunamis around the world.
We have worshiped God together in our sanctuary, in the Beech Grove, in hospitals and homes, and online. We’ve continued St. Dunstan’s tradition of being a church where all of God’s children are welcome, and where it is safe to wrestle with doubts and questions of faith.
In two decades of life there are going to be ups and downs. You have been there with us through many of them. Joseph Henry was three when we moved here. He has grown up in this place and you are his extended family. You have seen both Joe and me through major surgeries. And, of course, you have surrounded us with prayers and love the last 18 months, through Joe’s long weeks in the hospital, his death, and the difficult days, weeks, and months after that. You have been tender with us in our grief. You have helped us in so many ways that I cannot begin to name them all.
There have been a few times in the last 20 years when I’ve thought about moving on. I’ve been in some searches and have come close to being called elsewhere. But instead of being disappointed when I was the runner up, I was relieved. Years ago I came to realize that there is no greener grass than that which surrounds this special community of faith.
When I was in high school I interviewed the Atlanta Constitution’s legendary reporter, columnist, and author Celestine Sibley. All these years later I remember what she told me — that no matter what else was going on in her life, no matter what problems she was struggling with, her heart always lifted when she walked into the newsroom. I understand when she meant. There has not been a single time in the last two decades that my heart hasn’t lifted when I’ve pulled into St. Dunstan’s parking lot. I am grateful for every day of the last 20 years with you, and look forward to the years ahead.
With love,
Tricia