Wherever You Go This Summer

Dear Friends,

A few weeks ago, I learned an interesting fact about the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. It was, of course, the first time someone from Earth stepped foot on the moon, but did you know it was also the first time Holy Communion was celebrated there as well? After the lunar lander touched down on the moon’s surface, the astronauts had an hour to wait before they could go out on the surface. At that time, Buzz Aldrin called on the radio for a time of silence, during which he consumed the consecrated body and blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which he had gotten special permission to bring with him from his home church, Webster Presbyterian Church. (Talk about a committed Lay Eucharistic Visitor ministry!)

The story reminds me of two things. First, it reminds me of the Prayer for Travelers found on page 831 of The Book of Common Prayer:

O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel [in particular _______________]; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All of creation and everywhere we go, as Buzz Aldrin reminds us, even means outer space and the moon. I pray this prayer often during the summer months as my family, as well as many others, take trips. I find it to be an especially great way of keeping in my heart those who are temporarily away until I see them again back here at St. Andrew’s.

The second thing it reminds me of is our Flat Andy board. If you look in the Hello Hallway this Sunday, you’ll notice that our first few Flat Andy photos have arrived. The Flat Andy board, much like the prayer, is another great way of keeping in our hearts those who are temporarily away until we see them again back here at St. Andrew’s. (I hope you will take a picture and send it in if you go on a trip this summer—you can download a Flat Andy by clicking here.)

God’s presence can be found wherever we go, and, much like Holy Communion on the moon, should be a comfort to us wherever we are. And wherever you are this summer, remember to be in prayer for your fellow parishioners at St. Andrew’s. Praying for one another keeps us all in each other’s hearts and minds, an activity that makes the Body of Christ healthier and stronger.

Grace and peace,
Tim