Enter into the Joy of Our Lord
November 11, 2025
by the Rev. Mark E. Waldo, Jr.
Over the door of the north transept of Wells Cathedral in southwest England, there is a carving of a lovely—if not a bit weather-worn—stone angel holding a cracked and broken scroll. The inscription is surprisingly legible, albeit in Latin: Intra in gaudium domini tui. I’m told that it translates: Enter into the joy of your Lord. This verse from Matthew 25 once greeting the daily procession of monks from their sleeping quarters or duties as they shuffled into the cathedral for the monastic liturgies throughout the day. And those words have welcomed generations of worshippers and pilgrims into that sacred place. Enter into the joy of your Lord!
This carving is for me a universal invitation to worship, to gather, to sing, to pray, to celebrate, and to enter into God's joy and abundance. That’s actually what I have come to expect of a church community: to share a sense of acceptance, to experience the beauty of holiness, and celebrate the grace of community. These are the gifts of this particularly remarkable community of St. John’s. I come in and feel God is inviting me into his joy. I’m not the only one. Those who have been here for years can testify to this godly invitation, just as can those who happen to pass through these doors. Enter into the joy of your Lord!
I share this with you to thank you for being a part of this wonderful parish, and to encourage you and your family—if you haven’t yet—to join me and my family in supporting the mission and ministry of St. John’s. As we commit ourselves, we invest in the spirit of the community. And as we invest ourselves here, we will recognize how God is transforming lives and bringing joy to all who enter this place. Enter into the joy of your Lord!
In the spirit of generosity and with keeping the St. John's mission of being "A beacon in the heart of Montgomery, welcoming all into Christ's transforming love," clergy as well as staff and parishioners have been encouraged and inspired to share their stories of why they pledge to St. John's. The following is from the Tankersley family.
Dear Fellow Parishioners:
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we also give thanks for St. John's. Even in times of stress, we are keenly aware of St John’s community of unity and grace. We have a renewed appreciation for this place and the people who help it thrive. We are grateful to all of you for your fellowship and friendship. We are grateful to our clergy, who provide steady and prayerful solace. We are grateful to our Vestry, whose members always stand up for the best interests of our parish. Our Rector, Duncan Johnston, with his superb preaching and open heart continues to inspire us. Everyone plays a vital role in this church simply by being part of it. For these reasons and so many more, we are making a robust pledge of financial support to St. John's this year so that it can continue in its nearly 200-year mission of being a beacon of ope for souls in need, including ours.
As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, we also give thanks for St. John's. Even in times of stress, we are keenly aware of St John’s community of unity and grace. We have a renewed appreciation for this place and the people who help it thrive. We are grateful to all of you for your fellowship and friendship. We are grateful to our clergy, who provide steady and prayerful solace. We are grateful to our Vestry, whose members always stand up for the best interests of our parish. Our Rector, Duncan Johnston, with his superb preaching and open heart continues to inspire us. Everyone plays a vital role in this church simply by being part of it. For these reasons and so many more, we are making a robust pledge of financial support to St. John's this year so that it can continue in its nearly 200-year mission of being a beacon of ope for souls in need, including ours.
Kristin and Will Hill Tankersley