July 20, 2026
Dear Beloved in Christ of St. Margaret's,
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is with great joy, humility, and gratitude that I write to you as I begin my ministry among you as Priest-in-Charge of St. Margaret's. I give thanks to God, to Bishop Duckworth, Canon MacIntire, Danielle Thomas, our Senior Warden, and to the Vestry for the trust they have placed in me and for the opportunity to join you in the work to which God is calling us together.
St. Margaret's holds a special place in my heart and in my ministry. It was here that I first learned the joys and responsibilities of ordained ministry as a deacon. It is only by God's abundant grace that I now return to serve as your priest. What a generous and faithful God we have.
As I prepare to enter this new season of ministry with you, I look forward to learning the story of St. Margaret's, hearing your hopes and dreams, and discovering what God is already doing among you. Together, we will begin with a season of listening – listening to one another, listening to our community, and, most importantly, listening for the voice of the Holy Spirit as we discern where God is leading us and how we are being called to share our gifts for the building up of God's kingdom.
I am eager to gather with you around God's table, in prayer and worship, in study and fellowship, and in service to our neighbors. There is much to anticipate, and I give thanks for all that lies ahead. My hope is that together we will deepen our faith, strengthen our witness to Christ, and grow ever more fully into the people God is calling us to be.
It is a privilege to serve alongside the faithful people of St. Margaret's. As we begin this journey together, I ask for your prayers, just as I promise you mine.
May the Holy Spirit inspire us with courage, unite us in love, and fill us with joy as we share in Christ's mission. I look forward with great hope to all that God will do in and through us.
Faithfully,
The Rev. R. Lynn Hooks
Priest-in-Charge |
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