A lot of fund raising and planning for a building project is about adopting a new paradigm. Right now our paradigm is: “I come to STV and everything is there for me – the building, the choir, the meals, the clergy, etc.”. All lights are on, the heat and AC works, etc. Obviously we all know that doesn’t happen magically – success only comes before work in the dictionary, and if we want to have a successful parish family we need to work for that success. And we do work for it. And we are thankful for those that make those efforts, pray for the workers, and all zeal for the glory of God and the good of His people.
But to get our brains around the fact that we have undertaken a new building project is perhaps a bit more challenging for us. That is not all bad of course. Struggle is good for our salvation on the whole, with some exceptions. But the work and success thing is true here too: if we want to adopt the new paradigm that we are focusing, laboring, praying, striving towards the completion of our new project we need to work! And we need to pray that the Lord will help us to adopt that paradigm.
I’m happy to report here that we have already made some headway in this regard. Fr. Colin reports that the little boys were trying to sell their toy cars on Sunday to support the new church project! “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings has Thou perfected praise.” (Communion Hymn Lazarus Saturday – Matthew 21:16)
The boys are on it. Sometimes the adults lead. And sometimes the youth. Thank God that our children are providing us a zealous example! Now, let us emulate them in our zeal for the glory of God’s House!
Asking Your Prayers,
Fr. Gregory
