This past Sunday morning, several of you mentioned that the parking lot at St. Peter's was jammed with cars most of the previous day.  It was about as busy a Saturday in terms of worship services as is possible.  In the morning, we hosted a deanery-wide confirmation ceremony, which included 63 candidates for confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church from eight congregations.  Bishop Barbara Harris presided, and offered a caring presence and a strong message about the call to social justice which our faith implies.  At the announcements, I took a moment to help the young people understand that Bishop Harris is one of the true pioneers in our Episcopal Church and in the Anglican Communion in her service as the first woman to be a Bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion of Churches.  In the afternoon, St. Peter's hosted the marriage of Kate Ferguson and Spencer Lasky, celebrating the good news of the formation of a new household and the joy of the friends and family members gathered for the ceremony.
Such events require the steady, quiet ministry of so many people - altar guild, flower guild, building maintenance, musicians, eucharistic ministers, ushers, parish office assistance,  and more.  I am grateful for what they offer and increasingly realize what a privilege it is to serve as your rector.  May God bless us as we continue to grow in holy hospitality.