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Catherine of Siena 2024

 

Dear Friends in Christ:

 

Sending you warmest greetings in the name of the Risen Lord this Eastertide. It has been a joy to celebrate the sure and certain hope that is ours throughout this season. My prayer for each member of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is that the peace of the living God would be known to you, and be made know through you, as we anticipate another season of change in the life of this parish.

 

As many of you will know, near the beginning of the year I announced that my husband, the Rev. Aidan Armstrong, and I are expecting our fourth child. Anticipating a baby always includes a fair measure of preparation to welcome the new life. Over these past few months, the same has been true in my ministry at St. Martin’s, as I have been preparing to take a year-long maternity leave.

 

The Wardens and myself have been joined in prayer with leadership from the Deanery and the Diocese, as careful discernment was undertaken to select a clergyperson who will offer ministry during my leave. There is good news to share: on Sunday, Bishop Todd announced the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Virginia C. Lane as Interim Priest-in-Charge of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, from 1 July 2024 until 31 July 2025.

 

Those who have not had the opportunity to meet the Rev. Dr. Virigina during her years of service at St. Paul’s Cathedral will soon come to know her faithful ministry at St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Virginia+ is a gifted pastor; she will undoubtedly be a blessing to those in need of care.

 

It is my sincere hope that Virginia+’s offering of pastoral care will be joined with those of each member of St. Martin’s. May we, and she, be coworkers in sharing the love of Christ. Virginia+’s appointment is part-time; in terms of pastoral care, beyond responding to emergencies, her time may be limited. As such, I ask you to hear Jesus’ invitation to his first disciples anew:

 

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

John 15.12-13

 

Christ’s invitation is a perennial one, but it is particularly important that we do not hesitate in responding to it over the next year. I urge you to take care of one another: to call, to visit, to encourage, and to pray for one another. Pray for Virginia+ as she undertakes this new ministry. And as ever, please be assured of my prayers for each of you.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah Armstrong+

Rector of St. Martin-in-the-Fields

29 April 2024