I am, or used to be, and hope to be again….an oil painter.  In the process of creating a painting you begin with just a rough image—more shapes and placement than anything else.  Then you build on those shapes adding depth by using color, contrast, and detail.  Eventually, you can say, aha, here’s that rock I’ve been looking for, and over here, that really is a tree, and maybe I’ll add a cloud here just for interest.  As a beginning painter—which after many years I still am—I would take the painting to my teacher and she would say, “Very nice, That’s a good beginning.”

 

Then the real work begins…adding just a splash of light on this rock, shadow, more detail, taking something out that just doesn’t belong.  Then I’d take the painting to my teacher and she would say, “Well, you’re beginning to get it right, keep working.”

 

If you think about it, this is my first report to you as Rector of St. Peter’s, Clearfield.  I’m so wishing that I could hold up a snapshot of our progress and we could all say, “Look what God has done with us.  We’re done!”  Because what I didn’t say about the painting process is true in the process of becoming church….Some days you are so tired of the painting and so mad at the teacher you just want to say, “I don’t care what she says…this painting is done.”

 

We’ve worked really hard to get where we are.  I  believe that God has been with us each step of the way and alas, we’re now just at the point where we can see the tree, the rock and the sky.  Even though most of us are tired and a bit older since this process began, we are still at work on this beautiful, emerging parish called St. Peter’s

 

This has been a year of doing the things that will strengthen us as a parish in the long run, but in the short run, quite frankly may not show up on a balance sheet or on an annual report.

 

W We hired personnel to help with accounting and office management.  You can’t imagine how much having Glenda and Lin on board has freed me up to do my job.

 

W We have a choir!  They enrich our worship and are a gift to us all in the sharing of their time and talent in such a visible way.  In a similar way, our art wall has allowed a place for us to share beauty and gifts with the rest of our community.

 

W Pulled about a million and one weeds, installed a sprinkler system, planted trees and plants.

Patience will reward us as the rose garden is put in next year, the trees grow and color begins to surround our soon to be, urban oasis.

 

W Even though you can’t see it on the balance sheet we worked within a balanced budget and

through the hard work of youth, of seamstresses, bakers, canners and I’ sure a few candlestick makers raised enough money to buy an Ark for the Heifer project! 

 

W We are poised to begin a whole new ministry to the community through the development of a wellness and healing program for deployed and returning service members and their families.