It is no surprise the Scriptures are mostly stories.  You may be among the few who love walking through the many laws of Leviticus, yet my guess is what is most compelling are the stories: Sarah laughing at the visiting angels, Abraham laying Isaac on the altar, Daniel in the lion's den, Jesus turning water into wine, the women watching at the cross and showing up at the tomb, Paul being blinded on the Damascus road.  Good stories invite us in to them, they create an ongoing narrative into which we find our place.

I have mentioned in sermons the family reunion on my mother's side of the family.  For 50+ years Bensons and their descendents have gathered each summer in Chicago.  Prominent is the wall length family tree and the albums of pictures and notes from each summer's gathering.  You will hear stories of Chess, Irene, Roy, Myrtle, Arthur and all who have been and are members of this family. It is the stories recounted, old and new, that create the sense of who we are as members of this clan.  One quickly realizes there is a narrative flowing through all of us, shaped, colored and enhanced by the individual and collective stories.

Annual meetings offer the same.  We offer stories of the present, stories past, expressed hopes for the future, thanksgiving for all of it and recognition of those whose lives have and are shaping the narrative that is this Cathedral family.  It is a time when we hear who we are and into what we are living.

An additional element of recent years is recognition of persons who have offered themselves in various ways over a period of time.  Without letting out some of the surprise, I will say it is a rich recognition with a new twist this year.

I find myself again and again appreciative of the ongoing narrative of All Souls, of the stories which have been lived and have molded who we are and will be.  Come join us this Saturday at 6 pm as we recount once again the story which has been and is being created in our midst.

Peace,

Todd Donatelli