Letter from the Rector – July 3, 2026

Dear Good People of St. Paul’s,

This week I have been the chaplain for the Leader-in-Training (LIT) program at Waycross, our diocesan camp. I have heard other campers running and squealing, seen a sea of tie-dyed campers making their way to lunch, and had the privilege of presiding at communion for a group of young children participating in a special family camp program — experiencing Waycross for the very first time alongside their parents.

Camp life is full in a different way than normal life. People are bone tired from activity and being outside. I’ve loved how instead of people taking a peek at their devices at the table, teenagers are making up games to play. Simple, sometimes inane games, but games nonetheless.

I can’t help but hear the end of this week’s gospel as I’m here:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message).

With heat indexes so high, I don’t know if I could call being here rest, but it’s a different rhythm, one that allows me to see a rhythm of grace. And here’s the deal: you don’t have to go to Waycross or somewhere else to find it. You can notice the unforced rhythms of grace right where you are. God wants to show you. God invites you into that sort of life. A life that makes sense.

Here at St. Paul’s, our Sunday Eucharist is a place where we can notice that unforced rhythm of grace, a place where we practice seeing it in our day-to-day lives.

May you know this grace Jesus speaks of.

In Faith, Love, and Service,

holly+