2024 Living Epistle: Kathleen Mirani, Junior Warden
Good morning, Redeemer. I am Kathleen Mirani. I was recently received into the Episcopal Church, affirming that I choose Redeemer as my church home…that I choose to be part of a community that helps me to live my baptismal promises and that makes a significant difference as God’s hands and feet in the world.
I choose Redeemer so I can love and serve our neighbors with you by providing over 11K meals a year, educating hundreds of young women through Esperanza and taking care of at-risk babies through the Grow Clinic. I choose Redeemer to deepen my individual, and our collective relationship, with God through worship, bible study and contemplative prayer. And I choose Redeemer to help provide a safe place for our kids and to show them what the love of God looks like, just like Redeemer community did for my daughters years ago.
In choosing Redeemer I am aware the challenges we face financially and in numbers. At the same time, as a member of your Vestry I also see the excitement and energy among your Vestry, the Mission & Vision teams, the Stewardship Team, the Finance Team, and the parish at large toward planning how we can live our Mission and thrive and grow in the future. You could feel the energy at the retreat!
During this Stewardship season I considered the support Redeemer needs now, and how to make a pledge that will help continue the impactful work of our community in 2025 and beyond. And so, Robert & I decided to increase our pledge in line with the Stewardship goal, and to set aside funds for Redeemer first, before we allocate our contributions to other organizations. And that’s because I choose to walk in love with you to grow closer to God and each other, to be a safe place in a sometimes-difficult world, to work together toward truth & justice, and to love and serve our neighbors in Lexington and beyond.
Thank you.
Kathleen Mirani, October 2024
Almost each week during the Eucharist, we hear a reading from one of the epistles in the Bible. “Epistle” means “letter,” and in church we hear letters from Paul, James, Peter, and other followers of Jesus; these are found in the New Testament. During Stewardship season each year, we also hear a few “living epistles,” a letter to the Church from one of our own parishioners, testifying to how they have come to know God here at Our Redeemer. They may also explain why they choose to give gifts of time, talent, and treasure to the parish.
