Over this past weekend, the Diocese was represented throughout New Mexico and Far West Texas.
Bishop Michael attended the installation of Fr. Mark Lake in Tucumcari. Canon McNellis attending the installation and then travelled down to Artesia and then continued to "Far West Texas."
My visitation included Truth or Consequences and Hillsboro. Late Thursday afternoon I received a call from the Bishop’s Warden inviting me to the monthly dinner at St. Paul’s. I was informed that the dinner started on Saturday at 5 p.m. Sharp!
I left Albuquerque with the intent of arriving at 5 p.m.
I arrived at 4:30 and decided to drive around town. As I was driving, I noticed a parishioner placing “sandwich board” signs on various corners that announced “free supper. 5:00 - 6:30 tonight. All are welcome at St. Paul’s Episcopal.” Immediately, my heart skipped a beat.
I drove to the hotel, changed and rushed back to the Church. Upon entering, I was moved by the site in the Church hall. A long table filled with food, volunteers busy greeting guests, young and old alike serving food and the music of shared laughter.
Fr. Tommy Means
Members of St. Paul’s are living the Gospel. They are not only serving the T or C community, they invited in those without homes, our brothers and sisters battling addiction, the working poor, families, parishioners and all who walked through the door.
All sat together together at the same tables, no differentiation, we were one community, we shared the Kingdom. As I listened to the stories, I had to hold back the tears as I witnessed the work of bringing about that Kingdom that Jesus so fondly speaks of.
At 5:30 the small food pantry was opened and the line snaked out of the hall. The St. Paul food pantry distributed toiletries, food, dog food, and all items on the shelves. The parishioners spoke proudly that they “take requests” and work diligently to meet the requests of our brothers and sisters who are suffering.
Fr. Tommy Means swept with his broom, members carried sacks outside to waiting cars, food was served and I witnessed Christ in the world. We finished supper, and the doors were closed, I walked into the night air knowing that our Church lives the Gospel calling. Thank you St. Paul’s for blessing me.
I have a message to Bishop Vono from St. Paul’s “We Love You Bishop.”
The Next post will describe the visit today to Hillsboro and Holy Eucharist at St. Paul.
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