Much good news - Rector's Rambling for September 25, 2016

As you noticed today as you arrived at St. John’s, the new parking garage is starting to take shape with walls.  They are on schedule, and if the winter is not too severe they plan on having that edifice completed and operational for Tigers Home Opening Day on April 7, 2017.  This is exciting news for the neighborhood, and by next week I should have more exciting news about decisions for improvements around St. John’s.

Last Sunday was a momentous occasion.  We hosted our first Outreach Ministry Opportunity Fair, with our 13 outreach ministry partner organizations.  It was wonderful to watch parishioners interact with representatives of the various groups we are supporting financially, as well as watching the representatives themselves interact with each other.  One organization mentioned a need of one of their clients to another organization, and soon the other organization had a lead for them to help.  Additionally, we have offered to the organizations the use of our buildings for meetings or events, which will bring more and varied people through our doors.  Last week was a wonderful opportunity to remember that the Church primarily exists for those who are not yet members of it!

We also had a nice reminder that we are a part of something larger, with the visit of two bishops.  With the House of Bishops meeting in Detroit, the Bishop of Albany joined us for worship, as did the Bishop of Nebraska (who did so in street clothes so that he could just sit in the pews unnoticed).  The Bishop of Central Florida also intended to join us, but was not feeling well on Sunday morning.  I have to admit, I was a bit nervous preaching in front of bishops!  But both expressed gratitude for our worship and warm welcome, and the Bishop of Albany was very impressed to see the work of the Outreach Committee and even joined the Prayer Wall Team after the service outside on Montcalm Ave.

Thanks be to God for these many blessings!