Prophetic Scroll Found at St. Patrick's

October 3, 2010

This is a reading from the research conducted by the members of Don Bitsberger’s class, a newly discovered and remarkably relevant scroll, only recently translated.  This scroll was shared with the Stewardship Committee, with Tricia Duncan and Tad Anderson, the hard working co-chairs.  The reading:

There came upon the land a time of financial pestilence,
one which was manifest in the past and now had returned to plague the people with the loss of employment, with uncertainty among the money changers,
causing the fatted calf to become lean, and the backward cutting of goods, and yea even of services.

But in this same time there was a people known as the Parish of Patrick, upon the Haven of White.  They were a faithful people, known far and wide as those who dared to dream and to take risks.

So their leader, Kurt the Wise, who, even though a Nebraskite, was trusted by all, and it was he who recounted for the people the many great feats they had accomplished.  From within they had brought up the young and nurtured the elders, reached out to the sick and celebrated their sacraments to all, and done all with the pastoral love and words of Andrea, she of the Never-ending Nights of Special Classes, and with the comfort of its heavenly choir and musicians from the Texican, Adele the Steadfast.  Indeed they were the Pure Trifecta.  From beyond their walls, the People of Patrick had supported their neighbors, from St. Phillips to the beloved Haitians to the people of S.O.M.E. and the youth of Mount Vernon of GW and far beyond, and their works were beyond counting, and they were good.

And of this time there came an opportunity for more giving of Time and Talent from the people, and it was also a time to pray and to read the Scripture, and to ponder the sharing of Treasure, which was given to all by God.  For this was a time to place the people of Patrick and their good works at the forefront of giving, to the first among many, lest even the least of our works fall away.  It is known as a time to Labor and Love and Give.

So the people said to Kurt the Wise and the leaders, shall we gather our pledges and deliver them at the last month of the year?  And the answer was no, that will cutteth too close the planning for the New Year.  And the people asked again, shall we gather our pledges and deliver them after the Giving of Thanks?  And the answer was no, that the often secular celebration of bounty and football had its place, but it was not soon enough.  And the people asked a third time, shall we gather our pledges and deliver them on the 7th day of the 11th month?  And the answer was yes, the day of seven-come-eleven was good.  And they also planned a raffle.

And the people with one voice resolved to pray and to read the Scriptures, and to come together on November 7, to give back. Pledge Online Now!

Here endeth the scroll

This scroll was read to the assembled congregation of St. Patrick's on Sunday, October 3, 2010 by Vestry Member Bill Pugh.