Breaking out of our comfort zone

July 23, 2022

Dear PJ's Community,

Last Sunday, the PJ’s community tried yet another new thing! We left our familiar space to travel across town to worship with another Episcopal community at St Thomas’s on Whitney Ave. Its lovely stone edifice has always seemed to be HUGE to me as I drive by it often, but walking up those steps that day, it was not so big and inside, it was very welcoming.

I dare say our PJ’s contingent matched or perhaps outnumbered the congregants of St. Thomas. (It is July, after-all!) I noticed we were all decked out in our Sunday Church clothes too. I was proud of us being there to support this endeavor!

Rev. Keri Aubert, their rector, preached on the familiar Martha and Mary story. She focused her comments on the change Mary was proposing by her presence at Jesus’ feet, rather than staying in the kitchen, the designated position for women. Mary was changing the expectations and paradigm of that day.

So, in some small way, perhaps we were also changing the dynamic by breaking out of our comfort zone, by a simple ride across town to worship with new sisters and brothers. Who knows what this gesture will mean for us?

On August 7th, we will welcome folks from St Thomas to worship with us at PJ’s. Who knows what this change may bring? God is among us all and breathing fresh air and life among us and within each and everyone.

Blessed be our God now and forever!

Marilyn J. Bergen, Vestry member