St. Philip’s Members,
I’ve heard it through the grapevine, you might say, that there are members of the church wishing for a visit from me. I’m happy to know that is a desire and am equally happy to find an appropriate and safe way to be present with you pastorally. If you are reading this, and that is you with the desire for a visit, please contact me. You may get in touch with me any number of ways; easiest is a phone call, either at the church at (903) 729-4214 during office hours or on my cell phone at five-one-two-seven-nine-nine-nine-three-six-five; a text to me is also a very good way to get the ball rolling on something; or an email to jbriggle@stphilipspalestine.com. If it’s a routine visit, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday are best. If it’s a pastoral emergency, by all means call me right away, day or night, workday or during my customary days off on Friday and Saturday. I take my calling to “work as a pastor, priest, and teacher” seriously and wish to be available to each and every one of you as that desire and/or need arises, especially during a time in which we likely feel more cut off from one another than in any other time in our lives (from “The Examination” from “The Ordination of a Priest” service, BCP, p 531). I reach out in this way, that you may all know, I am here for you, I’m a call, text, or email away, and my desire is to be your pastor and “to nourish Christ’s people from the riches of his grace, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come” (BCP, p 531).
Your priest in Christ,
Fr. Justin Briggle
Rector, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church