Christmas Letter
St. Andrew’s
The Episcopal Church in University Heights
3105 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
Christmas 2009
Beloved of St. Andrew’s
This Christmas finds us not unlike those who found themselves present at the First Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child. We, and the world, seem to not quite know what is going on much less what it may mean. “How do we bring a child into this world?” was inevitably a question 2009 years ago and is still one many have today.
Our St. Andrew’s questions are: What is going on with our church (Anglican Communion, Episcopal, Diocese of WNY and St. Andrew’s) and what does any of it mean? All the while, we need to ask and live into the question: how do we embody The Church in the world; St. Andrew’s in the in the neighborhood, city, county, state, country and globe in which we live today.
The Good News is we are not alone. Many churches, both nationally and globally, are in similar situations. We are, however, interesting enough in our pursuit of just how we respond to the questions asked above to become a Case Study for the lay led Episcopal Church Foundation. Donald Romanik, ECF President was very impressed with his conversation with the several of our congregants he met with he this past November. Reflecting on our past and present will bring us greater clarity for our future, whatever that may be.
We have one concrete thing as fact (no pun intended!): the final proposal draft for St. Andrew’s application to be listed on the National Historic Register is nearing completion. We have the most competent of all persons writing our proposal, a team well respected in the field as well as the newly energized Preservation: Buffalo, Niagara. The National Secretary who leads decision-making has already visited St. Andrew’s and brings assurance our being listed on the NHR will come to pass.
What does this means for St. Andrew’s? As well as having national and state recognition at this particular time in our region when Historic Preservation is one of the driving forces for tourism and development, we become more of a safe anchor for the troubled neighborhood in which we live.
Over the past several years we have drawn many local, national and international figures to our plight, and the gift of St. Andrew’s. Many are now notably aware and respect our church building was given in thanksgiving and witness for the life and ministry of Charles Henry Brent, a first citizen of Buffalo and a first citizen of the world. Many perceive the vision he brought into this world, which is embodied in the spirit of St. Andrew’s is about to burgeon again in the multifaith, multicultural world in which we now find ourselves. When the time is right and we can make our NHR status known, we will be able to draw upon these relations to assist us in going the next leg of our journey.
Meanwhile, there are innumerable grants which NHR status will enable us to apply for: primarily those for securing the foundation of our building, upgrading our plant and expanding our initiative towards going “Green.” Contacts are already being made.
Jesus didn’t grow into his full stature as a human being until the age of 33. Nor did full recognition of who it is he was and is (and which is an ongoing eternal process of discovery) emerge. So it is with our lives as individuals and the life of The Body of Christ, also, the Church.
This Christmas, I invite you to “keep the faith” not just in Christ Jesus, but in yourselves, in St. Andrew’s and more so in God for all God has given and continues to give us. In “opening our eyes to see God’s hand at work in the world about us” may we see more clearly where God’s hand is leading us and all we have to be thankful for. When we are thankful, we become thankful givers. And paradoxically, as Jesus always is, the reverse is true, sometimes in giving our eyes are opened to receive.
I leave you with the words of Lao Tzu, a philosopher of ancient China: “To know when you have enough is to be rich beyond measure.” This Christmas, look and see where you and St. Andrew’s has “enough” and how very rich we truly are.
Yours in Christ,
The Revd Sarah Buxton-Smith
Rector
The card enclosed is from Bethlehem. It is a picture of the spot where it is believed Jesus was born. When there, if you lie down flat, you can put your face over the space and breathe in the air.
It seems to come from the navel of the world.
PLEASE COME TO CHURCH SUNDAY DECEMBER 27
FOR A VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY CONVERSTAION
FOLLOWING THE 10:30 SERVICE
Find out more about Mother Sarah’s Sabbatical,
Fr. Stephen’s time with us while she is apart,
new leadership emerging at St. Andrew’s
and opportunities for growth and development.