The Rev. Anne Hartley’s letter to our congregations  

 Our first Sundays together brought this verse from John 13:34 to life: "I give you a new 

commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." You welcomed me with open arms, bringing freshly picked flowers and produce from your gardens, home-made bread, wine, and sent cards with warm wishes and hopes. You met with me and shared your stories, your highs and lows. We celebrated with festive coffee hours with even more delicacies and a chance to get acquainted. On Sunday morning the 11th, Mom and Dad were watching the service at St. Paul’s on Zoom. That afternoon, Mom fell and broke her hip. She had surgery on Monday and seemed to be recovering, but slipped away five days later.  Now in this first letter, in addition to thanking you for your welcome, I am grateful for your kind words and cards since Mom died.* 

When I preached at St. Paul’s on Aug. 11, I invited listeners to watch for signs, then 

reflect on what they tell us about the nature of God.** A few days ago, on the second 

anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood (Aug. 24), I noticed a bright orange shape 

projected on the window frame above my kitchen sink. I had put some farewell gifts on the sill to remind me that while I’m looking forward to new ministry, I need to remember to look back from time to time, too. 

The morning sunlight reflected off a piece of iridescent cellophane in which a six-year-old girl from my last parish had wrapped her present, a friendship bracelet. The reflection looked exactly like a flame, one of the symbols of God’s presence. One of the first things John the Baptist said about Jesus was “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matt 3:1, Luke 3:16). 

While my left brain tried to persuade me that this was a physical phenomenon, not a 

spiritual one, a happy coincidence, not an actual sign, my right brain perceived something more, something better. Earlier in John’s Gospel, people were asking for bread to eat, without realizing that Jesus was offering something more, something better—the bread of life…This sign is a reminder that the Holy Spirit is moving within us and among us always. The flame emerging from a child’s gift is part of the sign. The most enriching, fruitful, and honestly fun, part of my ministry at St. Thomas’ was with children, and my mother’s passion was helping children, so I’m inspired now to begin that work at St. Paul’s and All Saints. Come join me!

*Anne’s mother’s obituary - https://obits.concordfuneral.com/marcia-hartley

**Anne’s sermons are now available on St. Paul’s Vergennes’ website. Go to About Us, then 

Priest’s Reflections.  https://www.saintpaulsvergennes.org/priests-message