A Safe Place... to a People Sent

Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

Summary: As I celebrate six years at St. Augustine, I believe God is inviting us into a new chapter, not just being a safe place for people seeking God, but becoming a people who carry God's welcome throughout Placer County.

Dear St. Augustine Family,

July 1^st is my sixth anniversary as your rector. As I reflected on these past six years, I pulled out the vision-casting sermon I preached during my first month at St. Augustine in July 2020.

Back then I dreamed that we would become a church rooted in community, Christian spirituality, invitation, and purpose. I ended that sermon with these words: "We will be a safe place for people seeking God."

Looking back, I am filled with gratitude because I believe God has answered that prayer.

I see it in our small groups, Journey to Jesus, Journey to Purpose, Quiet Days, Invite & Engage, community partnerships in outreach, and the warm welcome that has become part of who we are. We have become a safe place for people seeking God.

But as I prayed this week, I realized something.

Our next vision is not simply to do more of what we have been doing. It is to answer a new question. Not, "Who are we?" but, "What are we for?"

Over the past year, I have seen both the beauty and the brokenness of our community. I have seen fear and division, but I have also seen this congregation respond with grace, generosity, kindness, and hope. I believe God has been preparing us for our next chapter.

For six years, God taught us how to become a safe place for people seeking God.

Now God is calling us to become a people sent to share God's welcome.

Historically, a parish was never simply the people inside a church building. A parish was the geographical community entrusted to the church's care. That means our parish is not just the people who worship on Sunday morning. Our parish is Placer County. God has entrusted these neighbors to our care, whether they ever walk through our doors or not.

That changes how I see our future.

I imagine schools knowing they have a church praying for them. Nonprofits knowing they have faithful partners. College students finding a safe place to ask questions. Seniors experiencing friendship instead of loneliness. Families discovering hope. Neighbors encountering the love of Christ through ordinary acts of kindness.

St. Augustine will always be a safe place for people seeking God.

Now, together, let us become a people sent to share God's welcome wherever God leads us.

Warmly,

Pastor Anny+

Prayer God of welcome, thank you for making St. Augustine a safe place for people seeking you. Now send us into our community with open hearts, generous spirits, and the courage to share your love wherever we go. Amen.