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| NEW BEGINNINGS Life is full of new beginnings! We are all confronted with the opportunities and the challenges that those new beginnings present to us! The results of this past Election Day has presented us with a new President and a new Congress. When they assume office they will be faced with challenges of historic proportions. We will need to keep the new president and all members of congress in our prayers. In the city of Cranston, a new Mayor and City Council will be faced with the prospect of dealing with the challenges that the faltering economy has presented. And we at Saint David's are also experiencing a new beginning with the calling of The Reverend Beth Sherman to be our Priest In Charge and spiritual leader during these trying times. Whenever we are faced with the challenges that new beginnings present to us, it is always comforting to look back and see if any of the lessons of history can be applied to our current circumstances. When we look back at the almost 95 year history of Saint David's we can see many examples of both ministry and stewardship that has brought this parish through many troubled times. From it's beginning as a Church School under the direction of Hannah Clark, to it's transformation as a parish on Cranston Street, to the construction of the current facility there have been many examples of commitment and stewardship by members of Saint David's. The next time you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in V formation, you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way. It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Christians who share a common direction and a sense of community can also get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust and uplift of one another. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation, to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going. When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It pays to take turns doing hard jobs with people at church or with geese flying south. |
| Stewardship |