Thank You

From Intern Beth…

As I sit down now to begin writing this final newsletter, I find myself at an incredible loss of words. I cannot believe how quickly this year has flown by, it doesn’t feel like it should be over yet. Everyone warned me this year would go by so quickly and it truly has passed in what feels like a blink of an eye. I’ve spent this past year exploring different areas in this part of the country, growing in my faith and call, and being welcomed into the amazing church family you all have here at Saint Paul. As I reflect on the many different celebrations and traditions I got to experience while I’ve been with you all, my favorite by far has been joining you all as your intern. 

To be a congregation that welcomes strangers in, fostering and encouraging their call, to guide and teach them as they learn, to be the support they need, becoming the community of Christ that embraces them is a unique and special calling from God. Not every church could fulfill that calling like you do here at Saint Paul. I feel so honored and blessed to have been able to step into the tradition and God’s calling of internship ministry in this congregation. 

One of my favorite bible verses comes from Luke where Jesus is teaching the disciples to not worry, Jesus says “Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith” (Luke 12:27-28). I love this bible verse because it reminds me of the times I’ve seen the beauty in the chaos of wildflowers and the times I’ve felt so small looking up at the stars and the times I’ve experienced the love of Christ in the world; knowing that in each of those things, we are only ever getting just a glimpse at all the work God is doing through all things around us. 

Over this past year, I may have only gotten a glimpse into what all has happened and is happening at Saint Paul, but it is beautiful and it is the work of God. Thank you all for the times spent around tables at meals (food really is a love language), the welcomes into your homes, the cards and notes of encouragement throughout the year, the patience and gentle guidance, the jokes and laughs we shared, the times we sat in sorrow together, the help endlessly offered, the waves as you passed my pup and I on walks; thank you all for unconditionally showing me Christ’s love. 

I step away from this year together, thanking God for getting me here and praying that God continues to clothe you all in beauty, to use this incredible community to foster others into ministry, and to use this church and its people as a source of Christ’s love in our world today.