The Rev. Joseph Wolyniak
Despite the aforementioned COVID challenges of this year, we continue to strive to expand, deepen, and develop authentic fellowship, steadfast prayer, and supportive caring within the life of the church.
We found opportunities to do just that through an amazing Men’s Retreat at The Hideaway in Colorado Springs, which I was privileged to lead––a particular joy for many of us as it was the first time in months that we were able to gather for in-person worship and fellowship. Karl Wesselhoeft’s jokes were particularly, um, memorable.
Certainly, a highlight of the whole year was our parish Weekend Away retreat at the Trail West camp in Buena Vista, CO. We had teachings on being with, becoming like, and living like Jesus by Fr Terry, Brian Gray (our Senior Warden), and yours truly, but it was just an overall amazing time of worship and fellowship––once again, especially to be gathered together in person, in community, after so many months apart. And I’d always heard of the famed talent show, but it was something else entirely to behold. Curtis and Marie Robbins played host to skits, songs, poems, and performances that made us laugh, cry, and marvel at the hidden talents of our congregation.
Our Lenten Quiet Days at the Sacred Heart Retreat Center (Sedalia, CO) and Altar Guild Retreat at Christ Church also provided opportunities for our parish to gather in community, prayer, and fellowship.
In innumerable little ways, our congregation continued to “serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13) and develop new ways to connect in community, welcome newcomers, and live life and faith together.
Finally, I was privileged to represent Christ Church and engage the wider community through forums like the Holy Highball podcast––an honest conversation on faith riffing off the old joke, “a priest, a pastor, and a rabbi walk into a bar”––and the Denver Institute for Faith & Work’s community event, Wonder: Science’s Gift to the Church, with NASA astrophysicist Dr. Jennifer Wiseman and award-winning author Philip Yancey.
What a joy to be called to serve this amazing faith community. Let us hope that, in 2022, we may continue to “throw off every encumbrance… and run with endurance the race set out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1)
Respectfully submitted,
Fr. Joseph Wolyniak