A letter from prison
The following is a letter from a young man named Lee Birch. He had been a guest at the soup kitchen where Al Scott volunteers. They became friends, and with Al serving as mentor, Lee rapidly became an active member of St. Paul’s. He attended most Sundays, participating in the service, working in the kitchen for first Sunday breakfast and so on. However, his past caught up with him and he was sentenced to prison. He was released last December 26th and returned to his active role at St. Paul’s. At this posting he has a job – which has been limiting his Sunday attendance – and is attending classes at Eastern.
July 18, 2008
Dear Rev. Pat & the rest of St. Paul’s church,
Let me start off and say Thank you and I truly appreciate all of the help and support you have sent me in my time of need. I understand money doesn’t grow on trees and that its also a hard time for people to help others, but you all still help out of the kindness of your hearts. I whole heartily thank you for all the prayers and support.
I presently turned this bad situation into something good. I received my high School Diploma (which I have enclosed a copy along with my scores) and I’m taking business classes so I can prepare for my future. Hopefully I can use this little time I have left here to learn how to make better decisions and be able to change my life around. So please continue to keep me in your prayers.
I keep each and everyone of you in my prayers everyday. And twice on Sunday. I can’t wait to enter your doors for an awesome service from our beloved Rev. Pat. No one will ever replace you. Your what makes our church fun and new every Sunday. I love you all from the bottom of my heart and bless you for everything.
God bless you all with health and happiness
Love,
Lee Birch
Letter from Rev. Pat to the Bishop
May 28, 2008
Dear Bishop,
I have informed my vestry that I will be retiring early and have given them several months notice. My last day will be Wednesday, September 17th and then I will be moving to Florida. I hope that you will find time to see me personally before I leave.
St. Paul’s Willimantic, as you know, is a small band of rugged, scrappy and most importantly, Christian individuals. The parishioners of this parish know what it means to belong to the priesthood of God. Many of the people who frequent the Soup Kitchen also frequent the church on Sundays for our breakfasts and coffee hours. I have not once heard any one ask them to go to the end of the line or tell them there isn’t enough food for them. Rather they call them by name as they treat them the same as anyone else. This is the church’s ministry and they are honored to be a part of their lives.
The people of this church have also raised enough money to put in a foundation, and raise the walls, to build an orphanage in Kakata, Liberia for 40 children. Now I don’t know exactly what to call them other than fools… that is fools for Christ with eyes to see the pain, ears to hear the cries, voices to respond and hearts to love children in the streets anywhere. I can’t say enough about them and how it has been a privilege to work with them; and that personally I have met Christ walking in their midst and am deeply, deeply grateful to them for giving me four years of glorious ministry.
Hope this letter finds you well.
Fondly,
Rev. Patricia P. Gallagher
The big news
01/20/08: We are selling our property – church and office building – to the Covenant Soup Kitchen. St. Paul’s founded the Soup Kitchen and Isaiah 58 Ministry in 1981, and the Soup Kitchen has been housed in St. Paul’s lower level ever since.
As part of the agreement, St. Paul’s will have continued use of the church and an office there for five years, with extension of that use anticipated for a second five years. The sale will relieve financial pressure on St. Paul’s, and it will give the Soup Kitchen a sure home and more opportunity to strengthen and expand its mission.
St. Paul’s intends to continue following whatever opportunities for ministry arise. We expect that our relationship with the Soup Kitchen will become even closer. We will continue to trust that longer term survival will be found in those ministries – essentially we’ve taken Matthew 6, and its message to trust Providence, to heart!
Mat.6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink or about your body, what you will wear… …And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?… …But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”