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Saint Michael and All Angels
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IMAGINE WHAT FUTURE HOLDS by Rector Chris Girata

IMAGINE WHAT FUTURE HOLDS was published in the Katy Trail Weekly, "The Good Word" Column, November 6, 2020
Chris Girata is the Rector of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, TX.


As I write this column, it’s the eve of Election Day. By the time you read it, I hope the election has been clearly determined. The pressure of the world these past few weeks has exhausted me, and I’m sure I’m not alone. Today, let’s imagine what the future holds.

There’s an old adage that has always made me chuckle: Today is the first day of the rest of your life! This statement is blatantly obvious and true every day, but for us, I hope it’s truer today than it has seemed recently. We need a fresh start, a new beginning and I think it’s in our DNA to be part of the change.

Our country was founded with a hopefulness that revolutionized the world. America’s ideals of equality and opportunity have been incredibly aspirational and although we have never fully realized those ideals for all people, the long arc of our country has pointed in the right direction.

Today, let's imagine what the future holds.

There is an energy in our country. Depending on your perspective, that energy might be scary or depressing. But for me, that energy is exciting because it means that people care. I believe that apathy is the most dangerous position. When we are apathetic to the world around us, we can’t find the energy to do anything. Stasis might be comforting at times, but nothing ever happens when we don’t move forward. For the first time in a long time, I feel the movement.

As an eternal optimist, I see a lot around me that is hopeful. Consider voter turnout. Before election day, the national early voting numbers broke all previous records. In Texas specifically, more people voted before election day than voted in 2016 in total. The energy is enormous, especially among the youngest voters. This is a moment in our history when more people are engaged in civic discourse and civic action than in recent memory and that can become a moment for good.

Whenever people are more engaged in their civic life, they become more aware of other people. Here in Dallas and in North Texas, we have incredible diversity. Becoming more aware of others and learning about how others differ can make us more compassionate, more considerate, and more generous. I believe our community will choose that path.

No matter what happens this week, we are resilient, we are generous and we can bring about a brighter future together.

This year, through the ups and downs, through quarantines, social unrest and constant election noise, I have seen a level of generosity to help those most vulnerable unlike I’ve seen in years of work here. Throughout 2020, I have witnessed new people volunteering for the first time in amazing ways. Perhaps people are trying to ease their anxiety. Perhaps people are feeling guilty for what they have. Or perhaps people are learning, ever so slowly, that the people around them are valuable, that they matter, and that they yearn for connection.

By the time you read this article, I hope the election has been clearly determined. But make no mistake, our engagement, our compassion, and our energy should not stop on Election Day. There is a lot to be done in this world and a lot of healing to do. No matter what happens this week, we are resilient, we are generous and we can bring about a brighter future together.

We can’t rebuild when everything is normal. So much has been thrown up in the air that we can now rebuild.

"The Good Word" Column is published bi-weekly, and can be picked up at the Saint Michael South Entrance.


Tags: Blog & Newsroom

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

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Sunday Services:

7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
9 a.m. Joy: A Children’s Service
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
11 a.m. Contemporary Rite II Service in the Parish Hall
5:30 p.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
8 p.m. Compline

In-Person Worship Information

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Saint Michael also offers weekday services every Tuesday-Thursday.

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Saint Michael Episcopal School
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Saint Michael's Farmers Market
Jubilee Park Community Center
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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

IN-PERSONLIVE STREAMS

We are currently offering worship in-person. Several of our Sunday services are also streamed live.

Sunday Services:
7:30 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
9 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
9 a.m. Joy: A Children's Service
11 a.m. Traditional Service (Rite I)
11 a.m. Contemporary Service (Rite II)
5:30 p.m. Traditional Service (Rite II)
8 p.m. Compline
Weekday Services:
Tuesdays, 7 a.m. Morning Prayer
Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. Eucharist Service
Thursdays, 7 a.m. Morning Prayer

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. Traditional Service (Rite II) in Saint Michael Chapel
8 p.m. Compline in the Church

Helpful Links

Service descriptions and more info
In-person worship information
Watch services live and on-demand

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
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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.

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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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