Dear Members and Friends of St. Peter’s,

I often find myself describing our church to friends who are interested in learning about us. These conversations could be in a local coffee shop, in the hospital, on Main Street, or many miles from here.

Most always I tell people that we are an “inter-generational church.”  Especially in our family service, we see a wide variety of ages, with as many children as elders, all enjoying God’s blessings together in worship and fellowship.  We are not a “young people’s church.”  We are not an “older people’s church.”  We are a church of all ages, celebrating together.

Then, I usually talk about our revolving door.  I believe that our visitors and inquires are all different.  Some wish to enter into parish life right away. Others want to come and go, and not become attached too quickly.  Some people are transferring from other parishes in other towns, and some people haven’t been to church for years.  I see our front doors as a revolving door.  We allow people to come and go in grace.  We try to get to know each visitor, and assess their needs for information, involvement, and interaction.  Then we welcome them to come forward as they are ready.

Thirdly, I describe our church as a place of great freedom in our Lord, Jesus Christ.  We are a traditional church, for sure, with a traditional building and one of the richest church histories in this area.  Yet, there is a fresh freedom here.  When we preach, introduce music, share a children’s sermon, or engage in youth activity, there is the sense that if we have an idea that God has given us, we can go ahead and try it!  If it doesn’t work so well, there is grace in response; “ that’s ok, just try again.”  But many times, that sense of creativity in God’s Spirit brings out the most extraordinary expressions of grace and truth, and we are all left in amazement.

Intergenerational, welcoming, freeing, and open to the creative expressions of God’s Spirit.  All this, and so much more, you will see in the faces on these pages, and in all that we do in this wonderful place.  We hope that this directory will enhance our community, as well as serve to incorporate new friends into our church family.

The Rev. David L. Duprey, Rector