Weekly thoughts from the Rector of Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas, where these words remind us that Jesus’ peace goes with us into the world.

Two years ago, my family and I began our journey from the North Star State to the Lone Star State. After the last time I stood at the Lord’s Table as the Rector of my previous congregation, I looked out the window of the Rector’s study at Minnehaha Creek as it flows toward the Mississippi River. That particular moment, both the view and the occasion, brought to mind the words of a poem by Wendell Berry from his book Leavings. It’s one of many poems that come from his Sunday morning walks and observations of the world, but this one had fitting last words: “Let others come.” So thank you for creating a space, surrounded by hope, for me and my family to come here. We are grateful for this new life in Houston and at Palmer, where our mission is to know and share the love of Jesus Christ. We’ve received that love too.

In time a man disappears
from his lifelong fields, from
the streams he has walked beside,
from the woods where he sat and waited.
Thinking of this, he seems to
miss himself in those places
as if always he has been there,
watching for himself to return.
But first he must disappear,
and this he foresees with hope,
with thanks. Let others come.

— The Rev. Neil Alan Willard, Rector