05/21/2026
Rev. Mark’s Weekly Note:
Dear St. Andrew Family,
Greetings this week from Siena, Italy!
Lori and I flew to Rome after worship on Sunday to meet with 17 others from St. Andrew who will join us for a cycling pilgrimage along the Via Francigena—an ancient pilgrimage route that has connected Canterbury, England, to Rome for more than a thousand years. Medieval pilgrims once traveled these roads on foot seeking healing, repentance, renewal, or simply a deeper awareness of God’s presence in their lives.
This week, our group will ride through the hills and villages of Tuscany and Lazio, following in the tradition of countless pilgrims who have traveled this road before us. While my knee injury and recent ACL reconstruction surgery will prevent me from leading this pilgrimage on my bike, Lori and I will be offering roadside support from the comfort of a rental car while enjoying cappuccinos and gelato—all in the name of Jesus, of course.
Our pilgrimage begins today in the city of Siena, the home of Catherine of Siena. Catherine lived in a world filled with political division, religious corruption, plague, and fear. And yet, she became a fierce voice for compassion, justice, reconciliation, and the transforming love of God. She once wrote these words that have lingered with me all week as I’ve walked these ancient streets:
“You are rewarded not according to your work or your time, but according to the measure of your love.”
That line feels especially fitting as Rev. Amy continues The Torch and the Pail series, inspired by the ancient Sufi story of an angel who longs to burn down the gates of heaven and extinguish the flames of hell so that, at last, we might learn to love God for God’s own sake.
This Sunday, we turn to the prophet Hosea, where God speaks these piercing words:
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
Hosea reminds us that religion can easily become transactional—a system of performance, reward, and duty—while the heart of God has always been something deeper: steadfast love, mercy, communion, and transformed hearts.
Like Catherine, Hosea calls us beyond religious scorekeeping and into a love that reshapes how we live in the world. A faith not driven by fear. Not motivated by reward. But a faith rooted in mercy.
And perhaps that remains one of the great questions of our lives:
Can we become people whose lives are measured not by accomplishment, productivity, or religious performance—but by love?
Our peace, wholeness, and flourishing—and that of the world—depend on it.
Before leaving for Italy on Sunday, I made sure to submit my monthly online contribution to St. Andrew so that I could remain current on my annual pledge to the Ministry Fund. As the summer months approach and many of us prepare for vacations and travel, we typically experience a seasonal dip in giving. Yet the ministry of St. Andrew continues without interruption.
In fact, some of our most meaningful and impactful ministries of the year take place during the summer months—from outreach and care ministries to formation and mission opportunities for children, students, and adults alike.
So I want to encourage you to take a moment in the coming days to review your own giving plans and pledge commitments to St. Andrew. Consistent generosity helps ensure that the ministries we share together continue to flourish—not only within the walls of the church, but throughout the wider community and beyond.
To contribute to the Ministry Fund, please click this link: https://gostandrew.churchcenter.com/giving
Thanks for your prayers this week as we make our pilgrimage from Siena to Rome. I look forward to sharing more about our experiences in the days ahead.
In the meantime, be well, be blessed, and abide in love.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Mark
