For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

Friends, thank you for your prayers, meals, cards and above all your patience as we process the loss of my mother. Monica, Isabella, Nicolas and I will be back in church this week and I will be back in the pulpit.

Why this weekend you might ask? Because in the Episcopal Church the last Sunday of Epiphany (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent) is also a celebration of the Transfiguration- the moment Jesus goes up the mountain with his disciples and is “transfigured” in a blinding light — the same story that is depicted in the large painting above our Altar.

It also, as it happens, is one of my favorite stories and I believe an important text for our community and our city right now. Perhaps we could all use a Transfiguration moment.

So I hope you will join us on Sunday for a few years perhaps, but also for some hope and inspiration, and the beginning of a new path forward — towards God and away from whatever you need to leave behind - for us, for our church and for the whole city.