Once again, we are asking prayers for those affected by another hurricane in the southeast. Hurricane Milton struck Wednesday night from Florida’s Gulf Coast to the East Coast, spawning a series of tornadoes along the way. This, of course, following directly on the heels of Hurricane Helene which affected areas of many states including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. Relief efforts that were already underway will certainly continue. Please go to Episcopal Relief and Development’s website to see ways you can donate and help. In the weeks to come, I will see what other ways we can help and share those with you. Please keep these areas in your prayers and especially those who have lost their power, homes, and even lives. For those who are having difficulty finding the words to pray, I offer this prayer:

O merciful Father, who has taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve your children: Look with pity upon the sorrows of your servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their souls with patience, comfort them with a sense of your goodness, lift up your countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 831)

In other news, our Clergy retreat in Conception, MO, went well. We had a nice time discussing the Mission of the Diocese as first envisioned by The Rt. Rev. Edward Robert Atwill, first bishop of West Missouri, in 1892, and revisited by him in 1902. A lot has changed in the last 100+ years, but a spirit to grow and succeed remains the same. We talked about what we want to see in the Diocese under a new bishop, how we can grow, and how we can remain vital congregations within this diocese. We had lively discussions, prayer time, and time to discuss the candidates for our next bishop. We also got to spend some time, for the last time at a clergy retreat, with Bishop Diane and thank her for her time with us. Next year, we will retreat with our new bishop, as we envision all that we can be in West Missouri together. It is an exciting time!

Please continue to pray for one another, for our Cathedral family, our nation, and the world.

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