This week St. Luke’s got to rise in joy at the announcement of the Rev. Nick Hull being called as our next Priest-in-Charge. Its a moment in the life of our Parish that signals hope, life, and change. Many hours of work, prayers, and reflection by our search committee and Nick himself led to what we get to revel in now.

Anticipation can be maddening and wonderful. I know I felt that acutely on my wedding day. Knowing something good is just around the corner can make you sit up straighter or laugh longer.

All the while, there is still some time to wait.

Nick and his family will be joining St. Luke’s in the middle of January, a little less than two months from now.

I’m reflecting on that this week as we continue to receive news about the Covid pandemic, it’s resurgence and the promise of a vaccine that is highly effective. All signs point to having a viable way to immunize against this horrible disease and return to life together.

All the while remembering that it is still a ways off. There are moments of importance between then and now, both with Nick’s arrival and the vaccine.

Our nation will celebrate thankfulness this coming week. Advent arrives just after. Christmas, the celebration of our savior's birth, is at the end of December. Then, New Year's.

These moments are just as worthy of our joy at the moments we hope for beyond them, no matter how restricted our socialization may be.

My prayer is that we will continue to show Christ’s love through our actions of caring for each other, keeping each other safe by staying home, and living each of these moments in the joy they are worthy of.

In peace,

Rev. Deacon Chip Russell