At the Trailhead of Saint John’s Next 75 Years

by Glen Harrington

When Misa and I came to Saint John’s about 18 months ago we were looking for a church that was inclusive of everyone, a church that would challenge us to grow...and change. Saint John’s has a 75-year history of work done outside the walls of our church, something which has become a core part of our identity as a congregation. Even so, much of the work outside our walls has an origin inside our walls.

Last fall, I participated in the discussion of Richard Rohr’s book, Falling Upward. Through this study, I was able to visualize a path toward discovering my most authentic self in this "second half" of my life. For me, part of this process has been to determine what stays with me on my journey and what I may need to "unlearn." As I have reflected on the past, I have struggled to find a good reason to continue with much of the accepted theology of my youth.

While it doesn’t seem helpful to look back and judge, it is important for me to ask these questions of myself: What does love for my neighbor mean to me in this second half of my life? How would I respond then compared to now?

When we discovered how Saint John’s has approached same-gender weddings, we were inspired by the vision and courage of our staff and church council leadership. While many churches have ignored the issue, our church took it head-on by voting to allow weddings for all prepared couples to take place in our sanctuary. We believe that this action has been instrumental in the creation of a more Christ-like United Methodist Church and even the removal of harmful language moving forward.

This is just one of many examples of modeling love for one another that we have seen here in the last year. It has inspired much thought and a desire for action on our part. This work outside of our walls is what has drawn us to come inside of our walls.

The theme of our capital campaign is Echoing God's Call: The Next 75 years of Saint John’s. The primary purpose of this campaign is to ensure our ability to do the work inside our walls that strengthens our ability to go out into the world, change lives,  and draw others to the family of Saint John’s.

The majority of the money will be spent to replace an obsolete and inefficient air conditioning system. It has worked hard for many years as we gathered together to work and worship, but it is tired and worn out. A smaller portion of the money will be for office improvements and  classroom changes that are necessary to prepare for our future.

Misa and I are grateful to have found Saint John’s in this season of our lives, and grateful to those who laid the foundation for the first 75 years. We are also committed to the capital campaign as we ensure that the structure is in place at the trailhead of our next 75 years.

Peace and Every Good,

Glen Harrington, Capital Campaign Leadership Team

God, how am I asked to give to Saint John's for the next generation?
As we stand at the trailhead of the next 75 years at Saint John's, grant us the innocence to ask your guidance in prayer with the sincere desire to hear your will. Silence our anxieties and opinions so that we are open to hear  your ever-present Spirit with clarity.  May our individual and communal responses be pleasing in your sight as we lean into a future in which your love continues to change people.

~All capital campaign prayers for reflection this season are from Saint John's member, Ann Barlow.

To learn more about the capital campaign and its objectives,
visit stjohnsaustin.org/giving/capital-campaign/.