Good Morning!

For those I haven't met, my name is Lucas Alvarez, and I am a member of the graduating class at New Canaan High School this year. I've been with St. Marks now since 2009 or about 15 years, during which I've always sat at the back left pew over there, (hand gesture points to the pew) a couple rows behind Mr. David Kramer.

One of my favorite stories about St. Mark's is one I've heard told a few times, and maybe it's more of a legend than a story, but it kind of encapsulates what I love most about our church.

One Sunday, as everyone was filing out of the service, a parishioner who hadn't been to church in a while got to the front of the line and was greeted by Father Peter, who said "Nice to see you again!"

Father Peter's tone was warm and enthusiastic, but it also conveyed, Everything alright?

The parishioner replied, a little bashfully, that they hadn't really been coming to church because they'd been questioning their belief in God, to which Father Peter responded, "Well that's no reason not to come to church!!!"

From the time when I was 3 years old at St. Mark's preschool, to years of Sunday school, over a dozen Christmas pageants and as many Mayfairs, Confirmation and most recently our Youth Group, the thread that runs through all these times, all these experiences, all these versions of myself, is the people that make up the community of St. Mark's.

What I think Father Peter meant that day is that whether in that moment that parishioner believed in God or not, they would forever have a place at St. Mark's and a presence in our lives. In our community, spreading the goodness of God can be more important--maybe more holy--than preaching the Bible.

As a Youth Group member, I've experienced this goodness and connection in different ways over the years. Laser tag and pizza were fun, and also helped build the trust that let us have deep conversations, share big questions and ideas, and develop bonds that feel stimulating and supportive. We knew that here, we could be ourselves in a way that felt different from school or sports.

When my mom and I signed up for a beach clean up in New Haven, we joined Father Justin, our youth minister at the time, picking up trash, together with another organization, Jerusalem Peacebuilders, an interreligious peacebuilding organization. We worked with others on a common cause; not to preach the Bible, the Torah, or the Koran, but to spread the values of our communities which were simply to help when help was needed.

What is it that has made me show up all these times (even when I wanted to skip)? That made me come with openness, kindness, and curiosity? That also lets me know deep down that I'm still connected even when I can't be here?

I think that "it" is our faith, and the values that stem from it, even though I don't talk about it in so many words. Talking about God or Jesus is rare for me, and for a lot of other people, too.

But at St. Mark's, there's the talking about it, and most importantly there is the LIVING about it.

This is a community that greatly emphasizes religion as a way of seeing the world and our place in it.

It's a community that takes the teachings gathered from the Bible and helps us translate them into the real glory of God, which is loving each other. Loving each other, from what I've learned over the years here, means:

Wearing my name tag.
Having a conversation with someone.
Listening.
Making food for people.
Moving furniture.
Showing up.
Raising money and giving money.
Cutting everyone a break.
Saying I'm sorry, or thank you, or you were right and I was wrong.
Being patient.
Asking for and giving forgiveness.
And very important--laughing and having a good time together, because life is good.

I value St. Mark's Episcopal Church for how we try to make the world and our community a better, more connected place, and I feel grateful to be part of it. Thank you for helping me get here today, and thank you in advance for walking with me wherever I go tomorrow.