Wed, 10, Nov 2021

Suzi Raeside

Gratitude

Sometimes I pinch myself, wondering how I am so lucky to have such an incredible church community. And then I think,” I have been a part of building it.” I have rejoiced in seeing a flagging aging congregation grow into a vibrant force on the Seacoast and beyond. I have reveled at the programs we have stood behind to raise children’s hopes and dreams, the place for the disenfranchised to come and be served with dignity, to hear music coming from everywhere,to be informed of social injustices and formulate plans to mitigate them. All of these have made me so proud to be a member of St John’s.

But when I truly understood the real meaning of community has been over the last months when my husband, Duncan, was dying. There was hardly day that passed when I didn’t get a message, email, call or letter to buoy my spirits. Not a week went by without goodies showing up on my doorstep. And when things became more difficult I had your prayers and love holding me up when all I wanted to do was fall down.

On the day of his funeral, although I was in a bit of a fog, I turned around to see my church filled to honor him. Many of you never met Duncan, but there you were, holding me up again.

My heart aches for those who don’t belong to such a community. My heart rejoices that I am part of you and you are part of me. This is my love letter to you all.

—Suzi Raeside