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I heard a radio commentator say once that as she speaks into the microphone, she imagines that she is speaking to the one and only person listening and she imagines the face of that person so she doesn’t feel like she is speaking into empty air. Writing a greeting for our webpage feels a little like that to me. I have no way of knowing who will be reading this, but I assure you, whoever you may be, that I am writing to you, and that I am most eager to meet you, as I truly believe that God is bringing us into each other’s lives. 

I said in my sermon last week that if my life had gone according to my plan, I would not have known a single one of the people who were sitting there listening to me, people I have grown to love dearly, and my life would have been much the poorer for it. The fact that you have come to the St. Alban’s website means that your heart is looking for something. I hope you have found it or will find it when you come to worship with us. 

What will you find at St. Alban’s? You will find a diverse community. We do not all look alike, but rather represent many ethnic, social, theological, and economic backgrounds. Hey, we are so diverse that we are not even all human beings – there are two assistance dogs who get their blessings at the altar every Sunday just like the children who are their age! You will find people who are comfortable with the mystery of God’s presence and the sometimes paradoxical nature of the revelation of God’s love and will for us. You will find people who will genuinely welcome you and who are eager to honor the gifts God has given you as the unique individual you were made to be. 

You will find people who enjoy each other and who will enjoy you. We pray, sing, rejoice and mourn together with open hearts. There is room for you here, and we hope you will follow your heart up to our hillside and let us get to know you. 

I would like to share with you the Rune of Hospitality from the Celtic tradition: 

I saw a stranger today.
I put food for him in the eating-place
and drink in the drinking place
and music in the listening place. 

In the holy name of the Trinity
he blessed myself and my family.
And the lark said in her warble,
Often, often, often
goes Christ in the stranger’s guise.
O, oft, and oft, and oft
goes Christ in the stranger’s guise. 

Please know that if you bless us with your presence, you will be greeted as one created in the image of the God who loves us, as that is who we all are. 

Peace and blessings, Margaret+