Dear People of God,
I am reaching out to each one of you this morning to ask for your continued prayers for Lauren Watkins. After several days of testing, it has been determined that Lauren does indeed have cancer, and the Watkins family is meeting this morning with her doctors to determine the most effective treatment plan for Lauren to combat this disease. I call on each member of Saint Margaret’s to continue to pray for Lauren, Addison, Leah Kate, Mandy, Michael, and all of the medical personnel involved. Your prayers have been felt by the family and are needed even more so now.
Michael has asked that we give his family a day or two to come to grips with this diagnosis, and allow their family to spend time together. While they have appreciated all of the visits and phone calls, our best response today is to lift them up in prayer and allow this wonderful family to be together as Michael and Mandy tell Lauren, Leah Kate, Addison, and the entire extended family the results of the testing. As your Rector, I will endeavor to continue to update the parish via email whenever it is appropriate.
Beloved, this news is not what we had hoped. But our ultimate hope remains in the Lord, and in His healing power. Our instinct is to turn to Him and rely on His Divine Providence; to rely on His Goodness and Mercy. I ask for you to pray unceasingly; that God’s saving grace may abound in this difficult situation.
May God Bless each and every one of you; this day and forever more.
Your Servant in Christ,
Fr. Todd+
Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of the sheep, You gather
the lambs in Your arms and carry them in Your bosom: We
commend to Your loving care Your child Lauren. Relieve her pain,
guard her from all danger, restore to her Your gifts of
gladness and strength, and raise her up to a life of service to
You. Hear us, we pray, for Your dear Name’s sake. Amen. (BCP pg. 459)
