The new year brought exciting news: mass attendance at our parish was up 6% from Fall 2023 to Fall of 2024! Let’s praise Jesus for the many stories behind this number: more people praying with us and meeting Jesus in the three churches of SSP parish. That story encouraged me, and I hope it encourages you, too. 

      Is there a theme to the many stories behind our 6% growth? My guess is that the good fruit comes from two sources. First, our parish family’s efforts to worship well together by warm welcome, moving music, and relevant preaching about Jesus and His love. Second, from all your invites to neighbors, family members, or friends, asking them to join us. This win is definitely a win we all own! 

      Still, it’s worth being humble. Most of all, let’s be humble by giving credit to the Holy Spirit, working through even with our weaknesses. My guess is that we don’t have enough information to know if these results are statistically significant. The growth might be from people who left a parish during COVID or All Things New finding us (which would still be wonderful). We certainly have so much to learn about how to reach our parish vision: become a thriving parish community of growing disciples of Jesus Christ in South Saint Louis. 

      So, with all these reasons to be grateful and humble, let’s give thanks to God for blessing us. Thank you for being with us on this journey and for joining us in our mission. God bless you!