LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Monica Awbrey Rob Baber Ross Badgett Chanta Bahn Julia Dietz Beckel Katherine Bowen Dianne Boyd The Rev. Kenneth H. Brannon Justin Brooks Robert Butler Nozar Daryapayma Jill Delabano Philip Fillion Hannah Fisher Netra Fitzgerald Bonita Frederick The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata Steven Haal The Rev. Canon Michael Harmuth Dr. Margaret (Meg) Harper Travis Harvey Rev. Amy Heller Carol Hicks Diane Hollie Angelia Hunter Madelyn Ivy Adam Jones The Rev. Robert (Bob) Johnston III Cheryl Kaschak Elizabeth Keogh Tiffany LaMotte The Rev. Mary Lessmann The Rev. Dr. Eric J. Liles Chris Love Caroline Marak Santos Martinez Christi Morrow Chase Monson Tricia Morris The Rev. Dr. Hiltrude Nusser-Telfer Collen O'Hara Darla Osterhaut The Rev. Greg Pickens Edgar Porras Marco Reyes Monica Rosser Meredith Rose Jonathan Ryan Elsa SanJuan Dollie Smith The Rev. Canon René Somodevilla Celise Stephenson Tish Visinsky Regan Wallace Assistant Choirmaster Director of Finance Mgr of Electronic Communication Associate for Mission & Outreach Music Administrator Asst. to Pastoral Care Asst. to Worship & Liturgy Vice Rector Director of Contemporary Music Assistant Director of Facilities Director of Facilities Asst. to CFM & Youth Ministries Assistant Dir. of Music & Organist Asst. to Adult Formation & Parish Events SMES Head of School Weekend Receptionist Rector Director of Communications Assistant Priest for Worship Associate Director of Music & Organist Graphic Design & Production Priest Associate for Worship Extended Care Director Receptionist Accountant Asst. Dir. of Children & Family Ministry AVL & Technology Manager Associate for Contemporary Worship Accountant SMES Admissions & Comm. Relations Coord. Director of Youth Ministry Associate for Spiritual Growth Associate for Formation Bookshop Manager Stewardship Manager Sexton Mission & Outreach Coordinator Asst. Director of Youth Ministry Director of SMES Assistant Priest for Pastoral Care Executive Director of Operations Accountant Associate for Pastoral Care Sexton Sexton Assistant for Donor Development Executive Asst. to the Rector Director of Music & Organist Sexton Sexton Assistant Priest for Worship & Liturgy Database Manager, Parish Records Director of Parish Life Director of Children & Family Ministry (CFM)

2020 VESTRY

Jay Lipscomb Senior Warden John Ellerman Junior Warden Blair Oden Warden-at-Large Kathy Kelley Treasurer Scott Wilson Chancellor Ginger Brown Clerk George Baldwin, Jane Greene, Kyle Moore, Anna Paccone,

Hallie Lawrence, Stacey Malcolmson, Steve McKenney,

Richard D'Antoni, Louise Griffeth, John McFarland, Jr., Darrel Rice, Erica Sartain

Exp 2020 Exp 2021 Exp 2022

Exp 2020 Exp 2021 Exp 2022 2020 DIOCESAN DELEGATES John McFarland, Tricia Stewart, Kay Whelan Terry Demler, J.C. Snead, Scott Wilson Michael Blachly, Mary Henderson, Kelly Nichols Reddell alternates: Ed Blessing, Katherine Blachly, Ross Vick Heather Lorch, Jack Rubarth, Blair Oden Michael Reddell, David Henderson, Eric Gilmour

Following up on my last From the Editor about the genesis of our parish amidst global tensions and war—and all that entailed—I wanted this one to focus on resolve. While resolve surely plays its part in the initial actions of stories such as these, it is when the story goes on...and on, that resolve is that thing that keeps the heroes forging forward amidst adversity. Resolve. Helen Keller.

Most of us are familiar with the story of Helen Keller: A girl who, at 19 months old, encountered a severe illness that left her without sight and hearing, later going on to become the first deaf-blind person to receive a Bachelor's Degree—triumph of the human spirit indeed! Resolve.

But are you aware of her parents' story? Of the many repeated obstacles overcome to even find Anne Sullivan, to whom so much of Helen's success was due?

The full story is epic in length, but the cliff-note version would go something like this: As Pychology Today, tells it, Helen's mother, Kate (Robert E. Lee's cousin), read an inspiring story about the successful education of another deaf-blind girl, Laura Bridgman, regaled in Charles Dickens' American Notes. So in 1886 she and Helen's father, Arthur, an editor, traveled from their home in Alabama, north to Baltimore to find Dr. J. Julian Chisolm, an otolaryngologist, for advice. He, in turn, referred them to Alexander Graham Bell (yep—that one), who was working with deaf children at the time. He, in turn, advised them to contact the Perkins Institute for the Blind where Bridgman herself had been educated. So they traveled to Boston and found Michael Anaganos, the school's director, who then asked a former student, Annie Sullivan (herself visually impaired and only 20 years old), to become Helen's teacher. Resolve.

Beyond being an interesting story...why should I care? Because we're in such a story right now. They were repeatedly met with adversity and challenges, yet they overcame, anchored by love. Resolve. Life's curveballs can be a real obstacle for us when they hit—and as 2020 has turned that hit into a pummeling, we could easily struggle with being debilitated, depressed, and exhausted.

Examples of God's love and watchcare over us are abudant in scripture. One of my favorites begins in Luke 12:22, as Jesus reminds his disciples that to the extent the Father cares for nature, He care much more for [us]! That love and care should be foundational for our personal resolve—an understanding that we are not alone. That we are loved, and that we will perservere through this pandemic.

As a community of children and disciples of Christ, Saint Michael is such an agent of God's way of love, working hard to share and grow this community of disciples, not only in our faith but in our encouragement during these times. Check out Finding Peace in the Mess (p14). Ponder the Rule of 6, that offers simple goals helping to connect and energize us on this crazy 2020 journey.

As evidenced by the return of so many events (Parish Calendar p18), we are experiencing the truth that, while "this" may not be over—life goes on—even if it looks different. Let our resolve bind us to one another, to our parish, to the world. It may take considerable time, but we will get through to the other side. Resolved, together.