It is so hard to say farewell to this loving and welcoming community called St John’s Wake
Forest. As I depart, I want to encourage you to continue to be who you are. St John’s knows how to love and I felt that love from the beginning until these last days at St Johns. I want to commend you to keep living into your identity. Here are five identity markers that describes who you are.
1. St John’s is outreach focused. The amount of ministry to the community during the
pandemic was phenomenal. You really responded to the moment.
2. St. John’s likely attracts people (even during a pandemic) because it is such a
welcoming, friendly and loving community.
3. One of the strengths of St.John’s is its ability to empower its parishioners to “do the
work”. It supports and allows the vision of its members on initiatives between
congregants and amidst the community.
4. St.John’s is innovative and creative. You utilize your artists and the creative ideas of all
in worship and outreach. For example, during Advent, utilizing the columbarium for the
enormous advent wreath. This is just one of the many outdoor expressions of the
liturgical calendar in the columbarium in the past year.
5. St.John’s is collaborative. You do not shy away from working with other churches,
clergy and community partners, for example, One Wake, and the Monday Community
meals (Summer Nutrition).
As a result of all of the above, St.John’s is vibrant and growing (numerically). It is attractive even when the actual services were virtual! I hope as you welcome my colleague Rev. Amanda, she will find all these to be true about who you are. I am forever changed by your love and acceptance of me. Your love and acceptance for me and my family have been a healing balm and an affirmation of my call to be a priest in God’s holy catholic church. You have enabled me to be who I am and find more of God in your midst. Thank you for being authentic in the midst of the pandemic. As you were navigating transitions you remained St Johns. You model your spirituality after your patron saint. You are wild, creative and willing to be prophetic in the wildness.
Thank you St.John’s — You rock and indeed you have rocked my world with your love.
Peace,
Mawethu & family
