As I begin my work here, it’s my pleasure to have getting to know the parish as a top priority. This includes getting to know all of you of course, and the processes, systems, and culture of St. Paul’s. A subset of the culture includes St. Paul’s history — from the fortitude and strengths in the DNA of a parish born as A Beacon in the Wilderness as Marty Wendler so beautifully named her book, to the successes and challenges of the recent past.
On my first day in the rector’s office, I came across a beautiful handmade wooden cash box on the bookshelf. The 
words “Women of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Rummage Sale” were beautifully calligraphed on top. I was intrigued! If that cash box could talk, or show pictures of the treasures it has seen! And this week, admiring a unique object in Jane Weber’s office, she mentioned she got it from the Rummage Sale and I was treated to her sharing rummage sale memories. I loved hearing the stories! I found out the sale started in 1925 (wow!), and Jane told me that in the early days, sheep were part of what was sold. She described how at its high point the sale was all over the parking lot and in rooms throughout the church. It was obviously a huge and popular event, as seen in the photo above from A Beacon in the Wilderness, where people were lined up to get in to see the treasures. I would have lined up for that, too!
And actually, just like those in line, all of us here now are recipients of tremendous treasures from the past, 
handed down to us from loving, strong, faithful people who worked hard to build the sacred space that St. Paul’s is today.
The parish’s heritage is like loam – the ideal, nutrient-rich soil from which we can grow. We are part of an ongoing story, alive in a lineage of faith. Significantly, this means we are not alone. Not in our accomplishments and not in our struggles. We are nourished – and loved – by our roots, by the beautiful hearts and living effects of our church ancestors. Connecting to this nourishment, we may feel both humbled and strengthened. We know that every life ripples out in endless ways to affect others. It is indeed empowering to both receive those ripples of grace into our hearts, and to remember that our work here today will affect beloved ones in the future. God’s love and truth energize and animate us in timeless ways, and connecting to our church heritage is one way to enter into that stream and rejoice in what is there to receive and to help us thrive.
I really look forward to learning about and celebrating St. Paul’s wonderful heritage with all of you, as we receive its inestimably rich nutrients together in this interim time.
With warm appreciation,
Rev. Patricia Rose