Dear St. Paul’s,
Today we officially end our SP26LIFT Capital Campaign. Thank you to all who have given so generously! If you have not turned in your commitment card, please send it to the parish office. We hope to start the work on the elevator in early 2027, but we need to be able to pay for it prior to authorizing it to begin.
As you know, St. Paul’s buildings are almost constantly in need of repair. Its age and the wear and tear that occurred over decades take a toll on this old building. And it gets darn expensive to keep up with its needs. How many churches have to pay $15,000 to have their light bulbs changed in the Sanctuary? I suspect not too many. Due to our prime location directly across from the Capitol, we have some strategic advantages for ministry that other churches may not have in their locations. Our place can also be a disadvantage – lack of parking during the day limits the type of ministry/programs we can offer Monday through Friday. But we are here and I trust that God wants us to continue in this space, so we look to our future and figure out how to best maintain these buildings and offer ministry from this location.
Much has occurred in the news this past week that raises questions on social issues. One in particular is Capital Punishment, or the death penalty. You know the case I’m talking about in Tennessee where the woman, Christy Pike, was given not one but two lethal doses of pentobarbital, and she survived. Pike has now regained consciousness, although she has no use of her arms and has other physical challenges. The question now is: should the state try once again to kill her, or should her sentence be commuted? Talk about an ethical dilemma. Seems to me there is no right or wrong answer. But it does make me ponder all of Jesus’ teachings and how to apply them to this situation. I grieve for her family; for the family of the person she was convicted of killing; for those who tended to her medically after the injections didn’t work, etc. I also wonder how they will make the decision about what to do next.
Few things in our world are black or white – most are gray. How do we make tough ethical decisions? I fall back on my faith and try to discern what is best at that point in time. That is all that we can do – make the best decision for that time and place. Perhaps later we discover it wasn’t the right one, but we can live with the knowledge we did the best we could at that time. How do you make difficult decisions? What helps you make that decision? I hope it includes prayer.
I invite your prayers for St. Paul’s, its Capital Campaign, and all the folks who claim this place as their worship home. Please pray for those running for election and that we may elect those best to make wise and just decisions. Pray for continued good weather and for the health and prosperity of those whom you love.
Many blessings to you and yours,
Karen+