Our Little Corner in Tucson

Beloved in Christ,

Last week we sang hymns together as part of the St. Andrew’s a-singin’ event. It was a part of our stewardship season, where we sang our congregation’s favorite hymns (or at least, some of them, as we ran out of time to get to all of them!). Sheldon, our amazing Music Minister, taught us some of the history of the hymns we were singing, and it was all around a joyous event!

One of the most profound parts of our time together, for me, was the gift of learning why certain hymns were so important to people. 

Several times, someone would say, “This was my grandma’s favorite hymn” or “this was my mother’s favorite hymn” and then a chorus of other people would then nod their heads, tears in their eyes, talking about how it was another beloved member of their family’s favorite hymn, too.

To share not only with each other, but with our loved ones, in the praise of God. To carry the songs of generations past on our lips and in our hearts in praise of the One in Whom nobody is ever lost.

This was a moment of deep care and joy and love and peace. This was a moment when I really felt Jesus’ presence among us and with us, caring for us, loving us, being with us. 

Emmanuel, God with us. Quite fitting for the start of Advent, which will be with us so very soon!

This coming Sunday, November 23, is Ingathering Sunday. We will bring our gifts and pledges and offerings of time and talent up to the altar. They will be blessed. 

This will be yet another moment when we come together as a community, offering the blessings God has given us back to God, who we seek to serve and emulate in our day-to-day lives.

What a gift, what a blessing, to share these moments with you all!

These moments of joy, these moments of sorrow, these moments of triumph, and these moments of travail. The whole human experience, wrapped up right here at St. Andrew’s, in our little corner of Tucson.

I am grateful to be with you all, and grateful even more to continue being with you all, through and with our loving God.

Yours in Christ,

Alex+