Trinity Saint Paul's Episcopal Church (Anglican)

August-September 2011

Dear Friends,

Printed above my words here is the Huguenot Cross, the symbol of our spiritual ancestors who founded this Parish in 1688.  One striking aspect of the Huguenot Cross design is that it always includes the sign of the Holy Spirit, the dove descending.  This design strongly proclaims that the Faith in Jesus (the Cross) continues to be enriched by our ongoing experience of the Holy Spirit – our source of insight and perseverance.  It is this openness to change -- to the ongoing insights of the Spirit -- that led to the Reformation of the 16^th Century.  We are the heirs to that Reformation, both through the French Huguenots, and through the Church of England, which the Parish joined in 1709.  Those spiritual ancestors worshipped together, read their Bibles, and prayed so that they might understand the guidance of the Sprit in their day, and might respond to that inspiration in their daily lives.  Those spiritual ancestors shared their faith and passed it along to their children, and to others who weren’t French who joined the Parish.

We are fast coming to the end of the summer. Schools will soon be in session, and activities increase.  Our own Parish Church School, Youth Group, and Adult Study will start up in mid-September.  How important are they amid all the clutter of competing activities?  That question can only be answered after a few other questions are considered.  Where will our youth find their values?  From the Internet?  Or TV?  Or music videos?  Are their values the total sum of peer pressure?  And how are we to share our faith, values and heritage if we are not growing in our own practice and understanding?  Religious education for youth and adults is not just a good thing.  It is a crucial part of the life of any community of faith.  Without it, we are impoverished.  How can we, as a Parish, be open to the Holy Spirit, unless we pray and study together?  How can we pass along to our youth the riches of the tradition, and an openness to God in daily life, without consistent worship and religious education?

These are serious issues.  They are not answered by an occasional visit to Sunday School, or an arrive-late-leave-early approach.  Remember that dove descending in the Huguenot Cross and be there to be available to the Spirit.

                                                                                    In Christ’s Love,

                                                                                    Fr. Robert E. Gahler +

Design:  The Huguenot Cross, courtesy of The Huguenot Society Website.