From the Rector…
Another Lobsterfest in our bellies. It is always a joy to be part of such a vibrant event that relies on the combined efforts of old and young, men and women.
Our lobster queens—Susan Copeland, Laura Walter, and Laura Lee Blackwell—began planning this spring and after months of hard work and preparation, everything culminated in one spectacular night. It’s a little like the Oscars for lobsters. They get invited to a fun party, flown in as the guests of honor, celebrated and enjoyed by those who appreciate their contribution. One lobster never seems like enough at dinner, and grandeur of the night makes us hunger for more—not just more lobsters but more opportunities to come together and do something meaningful. So, really, it’s not like the Oscars at all; it’s more like the kingdom of God.
That sounds crazy—the kingdom of God as a Lobsterfest. Isaiah speaks of a heavenly banquet where rich food and well-aged wines are served for everyone. He describes the feast as a time when God destroys the shroud of death that hangs over all people. At the feast, “God swallows up death forever” (Isaiah 25:6-9). To “swallow up death” is to render it powerless. God doesn’t get rid of death; he removes its grip on us.
God seeks to demonstrate the power of life—especially a life in God—has for us. I think that is why Isaiah uses the imagery of feasting and the heavenly banquet. When we are gathered with others in celebration at a grand feast we are reminded of our hope and joy with one another through God. Lobsterfest was exactly that—a place of hope and celebration and joy with one another.
Too often we get bogged down in how much money we raised or how many lobsters we sold or if we did better or worse than the year before. While these tangibles matter, in the kingdom of God, hope and love are paramount. The real measure of success is how much your heart sang, how many laughs you shared, and how many new connections you made. It’s the relationships that really count—at least when you are measuring success according to God’s standards.
This year’s event was filled with people from all over the River Region, including a table from California! (Granted our Lobsterfest wasn’t the sole reason for their visit.) The smiles and joy were evident on the faces of those who attended. Many told me that this was THE BEST ONE YET! I have to agree. Not only was the atmosphere exciting for the participants but seeing so many of you come together and contribute in whatever way you could offer was a witness to the joy of the feast. That spirit of coming together, empowering one another, and building one another up was what made this one the best yet.
Isaiah refers to God as the “Lord of hosts” who makes the feast of rich food. All who volunteered, purchased tickets, and participated in some way—big or small— reflected this divine presence at Lobsterfest. You did that through sharing love and grace with friend and stranger alike. That is what instills hope in us. That is the embodiment of the life we are called to live. The greatest joy of Lobsterfest for me, is witnessing our parish working together—each in his or her own way—to welcome others and offer hospitality to all those who would come to this little corner of the kingdom for a feast of rich food. Last Friday night at CoA, we weren’t focused on the shroud of death; we were immersed in the joy of life.
Light and Life and thank you to everyone who participated in Lobsterfest 2024!
Candice+