From Fr. David Peck

Health Update

May 25, 2023

Dearest Friends,

Of course serious illness—with its dependency, pain and suffering—is humbling and miserable. I am glad to be emerging from that first phase and starting on a path of recovery. I am walking a few blocks and have some independence again. While never a path I would choose, the promises of our faith have held true even in the misery. The experience of major illness can be sanctifying, meaning it can be instructive for holiness of life and spiritual growth. Clearly this is my summer project!

Mine will be a long and two stage recovery with a short term focus on gaining much needed energy and weight. A further repair surgery in August will be needed followed by another 4 week recovery period.

I am so grateful for Shayna’s leadership of the parish. She has taken me off the rota so that I can be a volunteer at the altar or pulpit this summer when feeling well enough to do so. Our Vestry, clergy, staff and pastoral care team are truly a gift from God. Call upon them to increase your faith, hope and love in times of life challenges, whatever they may be.

…I love that Episcopalians, who often struggle to find Bible verses, are discovering they can find scriptures that work for them and for me as a powerful means of encouragement! The children’s chapel cards are beautifully compassionate and inspiring. We are a priesthood and pastors of all believers and of all ages!

Sadly cards are about all I can handle at the moment. Please no flowers, meals or visits for the time being. I have all that I need or want thanks to Cordelia, the nurses and a few others…

I was reminded by one in our congregation to use the profound prayer with which I begin each day. It is found with several others as part of the “ministration to the sick” at the bottom of page 461 of the Book of Common Prayer. I am so moved by our common prayer:

This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.

In hope filled prayer,

David+

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We are in a remarkable time of both suffering and spiritual growth. We are learning new ways to worship, give, pray, learn, and we are offering pastoral care to more people than ever before. My first priority will be funerals and baptisms and weddings. Once we have gotten through that backlog and learned how to worship in groups of 10-25 we can think about creative possibilities of how to come to church on a reservation ticket-only basis with masks and social distancing. But this experience of church will not be like “old church” for many months.

I am so grateful for your patience, faithful prayers and sacrificial generosity. I am so proud of your commitment to meeting the adaptive challenge of technology. Let us continue to be safe and sensible as we seek to love our neighbor as ourselves. Yours in Christ, David