Dear members & friends:
Thank you so much for the welcome you have given as I begin my time as your Pastor! It has been wonderful. The feeling of St. Philip’s being a loving Christian community as our mission statement says has come through loud and clear. I will do my best to engage minds and hearts as we partner in sharing God’s love with all God’s Children.
Getting to know members and friends of the congregation will be a primary focus during this coming month. I would love to come and visit you in your home or office in the next weeks and would love to schedule that. We will also schedule a session or two for conversation to get to know each other on a one on one or one (me) with several (your family) basis, in the church building.
As we begin, I will do my best to feed the right wolf — as the story below outlines. Perhaps you will strive to do the same:
Once upon a time An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life:
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.
“One is evil — he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed,
arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.
“The other wolf is good – he is joy, peace, love,
hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence,
empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
“This same fight is going on inside you —
and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute
and then asked:
“Grandfather, which wolf will win?”
The old chief simply replied: “The one you feed.”
Again, thank you for the warm welcome.
Hope to see you often, and especially on Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m.!
Pastor Mike
10708 Lavinia Drive
