I've started writing this testimonial at least half a dozen times in the last couple weeks; only to toss what I've written because the direction I was heading in didn't feel quite right. Giving is often a very personal decision. I’ve asked myself over and over again “Why do I give?” Every time I ask myself, I have a different answer. That’s why it’s been so hard for me to write just one thing, to provide just one answer. I could provide a different answer every Sunday of the year if asked to – don’t worry; I’m not going to.

On Sunday morning, October 26, following the AURAFORM presentation of the Sanctuary Concept for St. Thomas’, I lightly touched Barbara Hays, our Junior Warden, on the shoulder and said, “Thank you”. Barbara responded, “For what—I didn’t do anything, I just showed up”. Indeed, thank you again Barbara…for “showing up” is so essential to the fullness of our life together as a spiritual community.

Last Sunday, Tim Johnson reminded all of us here at St. Thomas' that we are fortunate enough to be drinking from a well we did not dig. And this Sunday, we are honoring those saints who came before us, such as the ones at St. Thomas' who helped dig and maintain this proverbial well, so that we could be here, drinking from it today, every Sunday, and every other time we gather as a community in the name of the God, who is calling us into a deeper relationship with himself and one another.

Tonight I was asked to speak to you about my spiritual journey, and you meet me at an interesting point on that road. Yesterday, along with three of my friends and supported by our clergy, family, friends, and fellow parishioners, I was Confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Tonight through our readings we celebrate All Saints Day. And in a little more than two days we as a nation will have elected ourselves new leadership, bestowing great power and responsibility to a few amongst us.