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Saint Michael and All Angels
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A Message from the Rector - "Deep Gratitude"

Just like that, it’s November, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner! For some of us, that thought alone strikes feelings of panic. Perhaps for others, feelings of dread. And still others, this holiday season will be filled with sadness – sadness over having lost a loved one, and for some, having lost their entire homes. As we approach the rush of the holiday season, I want to invite you to center yourself on your faith and to know that this season can be deeply renewing.

When I think of the holidays, I think of family. I have a pretty big family and married into an even bigger one. Preparing for big family moments takes time and energy. Old recipes are brought out, travel arrangements are made, and décor is planned. Our family holidays are rich with traditions and opportunities to recall favorite stories. When we get together, there’s music and laughter, food and games, and all the good drama that makes big family moments fun! And yet, our holidays are more than just a time for celebration. Holidays are a time for deep gratitude.

Over the last two months, our Saint Michael family has been exploring the ideas of grace and gratitude. Grace is freely given to us. There is nothing we can do to earn grace and nothing we can do to lose grace. God’s grace is a gift that finds us when life is going well and when life is going badly. When we become aware of true grace, we begin to understand how God works in the world, and our response to that grace is most purely expressed through gratitude.

To know that we are loved as we are, not in spite of our imperfections but because of them, often produces a deep sense of gratitude. I know that I am grateful for the love and acceptance of God even with all my imperfections, and I see evidence of gratitude in so many of you, too. That deep sense of gratitude leads us away from what I believe is our natural, self-centered nature toward a spirit of generosity. Generosity is born out of gratitude, and a generous spirit transforms us over time.

I saw examples of gratitude and generosity last month after the devastating tornadoes that ripped through North Dallas. For some, the tornadoes destroyed their homes. Only hours after the tornadoes blew through, a friend of mine was standing in front of the shell of her home and said, “We were saved by the grace of God. We are safe. The house is destroyed but all of that’s replaceable.” Her gratitude is born out of her faithfulness – her true, deep belief that what we see is not all there is.

For most of us, however, we did not lose our homes. Yet nearly all of us know someone who suffered a great loss and we were motivated to help. Although some may have helped those in need out of a sense of obligation, I believe our faith gave most of us a desire to help that is born out of gratitude, rooted in the truth of God’s grace. We know we are loved, we are grateful for that love, and we want to be generous in sharing love with our neighbors. Countless members of our Saint Michael family helped in big a small ways, from picking up trash and preparing meals, to donating money and coordinating relief efforts – so many answered the call to help.

Saint Michael—our faith family—is here. We have been here for nearly 75 years and we aren’t going anywhere. The stability of Saint Michael is a gift to each one of us, especially in our times of greatest need. You can help by donating supplies, donating money, and most importantly, showing up for your friends. Don’t hesitate to reach out to those you know are hurting. Your presence is the truest gift. And most importantly, pray for and with each other.

Prayer is central to who we are and grounds us in our faith. We do not pray in order to get a certain outcome in the world (God is not a cosmic vending machine). Instead, prayer shapes our behavior and our belief, and prayer forms the strength of our church community. Pray for one another, and even better, pray with one another. When we pray together, we root ourselves in the sacred truth that life – our eternal life – is bigger than anything we can see or imagine.

We have so many reasons to be grateful this year, and as we look toward the holidays, we approach a season that will give us many opportunities to express that gratitude. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Epiphany all give us an opportunity to celebrate the lives we have and look forward with hope to the future. This year, as we celebrate, I hope that we will be far more aware of how we are blessed. The blessings we receive from God may not always take the form we expect or want, but I believe that we can find gratitude in every one of them. God’s love for us is real and eternal, so may our celebratory shouts be songs of praise and thanksgiving!

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The Rev. Dr. Christopher D. Girata
Rector


Tags: Blog & Newsroom / Rector's Blog

The Archangel November/December 2019

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A Message from the Rector - "Deep Gratitude"

We have a lot to be grateful for this holiday season, even if we've recently suffered hardship. Rector Chris Girata hopes that you find this holiday season deeply renewing.

Read More »

Walking the Camino de Santiago: A Saint Michael Pilgrimage

Rev. Mary Lessmann and pilgrimage participants recap a very special experience walking the 72 miles of the Camino de Santiago.

Read More »

Refresh + Renew + Revive

Rector Chris Girata and Refresh campaign chair Peggy Carr offer an update now that all of the work for this project has been completed.

Read More »

Bill Power Remembers Bob Estill

Bill Power reflects on the ministry and legacy of the fourth rector of Saint Michael and All Angels after his recent passing.

Read More »

Stephen Ministry: Strictly Confidential

Stephen Ministry Lay Leader Marillyn Seeberger shares details on this impactful 1:1 ministry and when someone might need a Stephen Minister.

Read More »

Jubilee Park Feels Like Home

An update on the Jubilee Housing Task Force and how they are improving the lives of elderly Jubilee Park residents.

Read More »

A Cherub's Life

Wondering what it's like to be in our Cherub Choir? We followed Elsie Ross as she and the other children enjoyed rehearsals and performances this fall.

Read More »

Read the full issue

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225
(214) 363-5471

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Sunday Services:

9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
8 p.m. Compline in the Church

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Under normal circumstances, Saint Michael offers more services every day of the week. Learn more about our full worship schedule here.

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Saint Michael and All Angels is a member parish in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. We practice The Way of Love as members of The Episcopal Church.

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Service Times

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Sunday Services:
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service
8 p.m. Compline

More about services at Saint Michael and All Angels here.

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Saint Michael and All Angels
8011 Douglas Ave
Dallas, TX 75225

Contact Us
(214) 363-5471

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Welcome Children Service Times Getting Here & Campus Map Membership

Welcome! | Saint Michael and All Angels is a community of passionate people seeking to follow Jesus in a meaningful way that impacts both our own lives and that of the community around us. We are blessed with our parish home and so glad to share it with you. If you find yourself in Dallas, we would love to have you join us for worship!

- The Reverend Dr. Chris Girata, Rector

Welcome to Children and Family Ministry!

Our team in Children and Family Ministry provides children, ages 0 – 5th grade, and their parents with the tools they need to become faithful disciples of Christ. We achieve this through fun and interactive programming that allows children and families to explore their faith together.

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Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in Saint Michael Chapel
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II) in the Church
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service in Saint Michael Chapel
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I) in the Church
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer and Eucharist Rite I in Saint Michael Chapel
8 p.m. Compline in the Church
Saturday Services:
8:30 a.m. Eucharist in Bishop Moore Chapel
5:30 p.m. Candlelight Mass in Saint Michael Chapel
Weekday Services:
7 a.m. M/W/F: Morning Prayer in Bishop Moore Chapel
7 a.m. T/Th: Holy Eucharist (Rite I or II) in Bishop Moore Chapel
10 a.m. Wed.: Healing Service in Bishop Moore Chapel
Click here for service descriptions and more info

We are located just south of Northwest Highway off of Douglas Ave. at Colgate Ave. Via Northbound Tollroad: Exit Lovers Ln, continue straight on Lomo Alto a few blocks to Colgate. Church is on your right. Via Southbound Tollroad: Exit Northwest Hwy, turn left to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right. Via US 75: Exit Northwest Hwy and go west to Douglas Ave. Turn R on Douglas and church is a few blocks down on your right.

Maps & Directions

If you are new to Saint Michael, curious about the path to membership, or simply want to learn more about life at our parish community, we invite you to join us for two different class events we have throughout the year: "Saint Michael 101" is an introduction to life here at SMAA, and "Episcopal Christians", where we explore what it means to walk as a Christian in the Episcopal tradition, discussing topics like our Anglican heritage, worship, the Bible and formation etc.

Saint Michael 101 Episcopal Christians
Give Now Flower Memorials The Foundation Legacy Planning Stewardship 2021

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Flowers in our holy worship spaces are a beautiful gift to God and those who attend services at Saint Michael as well as those being honored or remembered. A contribution to the Flower Fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one for special life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, baptisms, confirmations, thanksgivings, or in memory of a loved one.

Flower Memorials

The Foundation of Saint Michael and All Angels is essential to the vitality, growth, stability and success of our parish. Its grants support the mission of the Parish, consistent with priorities established by the Vestry and the Rector.

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As God’s stewards, we build on the foundation left by those who came before us. We, in turn, have the opportunity, with a bequest to Saint Michael, to sustain and enhance our parish ministries and programs for the benefit of future generations.

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Building the Kingdom

Saint Michael and All Angels Annual Giving

Join us as we commit ourselves to the 2021 Stewardship Campaign.

Building the Kingdom