Dear Servants of Christ,

 

Years ago when we started Servants of Christ, we adopted the phrase Semper Gumby, which means “Always Flexible.” As a community we value and have certainly tested the limits of this phrase with the changes in music, furniture, service times, landlord, capital campaign, etc. The latest challenge, and for some the most formidable, has been the loss of air conditioning which we experienced over the last two weeks. Our landlord worked proactively to get our air conditioning fixed. I assure you it was working this morning, praise God! The fact that I had to come to staff meeting Tuesday to really know how bad it was at the service September 11th is a testament to this congregation’s ability to be long-suffering. You never cease to amaze me. 

 

While away that Sunday, Jody and I were participating in our good friend Jim Hobby’s consecration in Pittsburgh. Appropriately, the preacher at the service spoke about the witness of St. Cyprian, who was martyred! He didn’t suggest that Jim would have a similar fate thankfully, but was quick to add that all who take the office of Bishop in our day must be prepared to suffer. His Biblical text was Genesis 39:21, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Sobering thoughts, but if you know Fr. Jim Hobby, this was a sermon he might preach himself. One of Jim’s famous sayings is, “we will either send our children to the nations as missionaries, or our grandchildren will go as slaves.” Please pray for Bishop Jim as he begins his episcopal ministry in the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh.

 

In our Vestry meeting Tuesday night, it was suggested that these obstacles/difficulties are only to be expected given the fact that we know God’s people always have an enemy seeking to discourage or if possible defeat the people of God. I share this with you so you may rejoice in the godly leadership the Lord has given us on Vestry and to know that we are about seeking God’s purposes in all our efforts as a parish. Hebrews 10:39 above encourages me as I write this article because I’m reminded that the call of Christ is to endure by faith, knowing that God will strengthen us in the time of trial. We as your leadership are determined to remain in the city and to reflect the love of Christ as best we can. This has been reaffirmed year after year in our Vestry.

 

At our parish meeting back in August I shared what we are seeking for permanent home:

 

1. Property in the City of Gainesville
2. A minimum of 3 acres (willing to consider undeveloped) and 10,000 sq. ft.
3. A purchase price of $1 million ($100 per sq. ft.)

As the phrase goes, “if you see something, say something.” Each of you should be in prayer and actively looking for our permanent facility. In the meantime, we are thankful for the temporary quarters we have with Newberry Community Christian School and we recommit ourselves to persevere in the face of trials. 

 

Onward and Upward,

Alex +