‘Love over Fear’ - Letter of Hope by Kimberly Axtell

Dear Friends,

Like many young teenagers of my time, my first
car was a VW bug. Bright yellow, my dad carved
a piece of Lexan in the shape of a wind-up toy key,
drilled a hole in the rear trunk, attached a small motor
to the battery and painted the key bright pink. So
when I turned on my lights during the day time, the
key would turn in the back and it looked like a windup
toy driving down the street.

I named my car (yes, a silly affectation) Timothy, after
a verse in the Bible: “…for God did not give us a spirit of
timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.”
2 Tim 1:7. I liked the idea of moving forward into
the world as a teenager without a spirit of fear but to
choose love instead. I didn’t always live up to that goal
but it was an early motivator for me.

It reminds me that while fear is a necessary emotion (there are many things to be afraid of), it can also cloud my mind and affect the decisions I make, the choices that I see in front of me. Like the Litany against Fear from Dune, I instead allow my fear to move through me, acknowledging its presence, and wait for my fear to pass. Along the way I learn why and what I feared and what lessons my feelings of fear teach me. Allowing my fear to pass through me and not stay, clears my mind and allows me to see love and God instead.

As you might be aware by now, in consultation with the Vestry and the Bishop, the transition team has decided to re-post our details for the rector position. Our charge was to present to the Vestry 2-4 candidates, and for various reasons, we are unable to do so.

It was also considered, and approved, to change the title of the position we are looking for from Priest in-Charge to Rector, in hopes of expanding the pool of potential candidates. This advertisement is for a 4-week time period which will take us through to the beginning of August. After we have received a new slate of candidates, the transition team will move quickly to consider and interview this next round.

On June 25, our Casual Choir sang an anthem by Gael Berberick and Barney Walker: Come, Follow Me.
The words to the chorus are:

“Come, follow me and live; do not be afraid. Believe and trust in me; your faith will give you
strength.
Leave all your fears behind you; let your heart be free,
for I will be your guide.
Oh, come and follow me.”

I would echo this sentiment as we continue to transition into the future. Do not be afraid of what lies ahead. There is still much work to be done but remember that you all are loved, and are in a community that has much love to give. We are strong, choosing to love, casting aside fear.

Let us walk this road together.

Peace,

+Kimberly