Rector's Corner

Friday, September 17, 2009

Dear People of Grace,

Emily and I could not be more thrilled that we will be calling Grace Church and Massapequa home. Since our first visit this summer, our two-year-old son has taken to shouting 'Massapequa' anytime we mention it - he clearly knows a good thing when he sees it.  As your rector-elect, the first thing I want to say is: thank you.  Thank you for the hard work of the search committee; thank you for the hard work of the vestry; and thank you to the parish and day school for the exciting ministry that you provide to the people of Massapequa.

I am humbled by the knowledge that in the nearly 170 years of the life of Grace, I have only six predecessors! Clearly a greatv legacy of this parish has been the life-giving mutual ministry of clergy and lay people.  It is truly an honor to be called as the rector of your parish.

The current Bishop of Chicago has an informal motto for the diocese and as the rector of Grace Church I would like to bring this motto with me:

"Grow the Church, Form the Faithful, Change the World"

Let this be a model for our life together as Christians in Massapequa; our marching orders as we work in the Kingdom of God.  Though they are simple, these three axioms will give us plenty of work to do in the months and years ahead of us.  Exciting things are happening at Grace and only God knows the wonderful things that lay in our journey ahead.

With God's love and grace our time together will bear much fruit as we work to welcome newcomers, broaden our faith and reach out to the wider community in order to Grow the Church, Form the Faithful, and Change the World.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

(The Rev.) Josh Walters