Last weekend, I took advantage of the wonderful weather to do some work in the garden. In the process, I discovered that a stump that had been too difficult to remove several years ago, was suddenly loose. In fact, the roots that had been so resilient years ago, had rotted and been eaten by insects. With very little effort, I was able to pull the stump, and toss it in the compost. St. Paul’s has been a faithful community in Essex since 1882. This congregation existed before Essex was formally named! There have been many parishioners who have left their mark on this congregation and this community throughout the 140 years we have been here. This presence is built upon the Christian presence in this country, which is built upon the Christian presence that dates back some two millennia, which is built upon the journey of Jesus and the disciples, which is built upon the Jewish peoples whose stories we know from the Hebrew Scriptures or, what we call, the Old Testament. We are rooted in faith because of the work of saints who have come before us, generously sharing their God-given gifts with the Church and the world. In the letter to the Ephesians, we are reminded: In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, … might live for the praise of his glory. Christian communities receive an inheritance that roots us in what we believe about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and how it has transformed people throughout history. Today we celebrate that inheritance as we give thanks for the lives of all the saints. Foremost for us is St. Paul, for whom this Church is named. Paul is often credited as the author of many of the letters we read in worship. His story of transformation is powerful – revealing how his pious efforts to destroy the fledgeling Christian community left him thrown from his horse and blinded on the way to Damascus. The faith and courage of Ananias became a catalyst through which Saul, transformed to Paul, could see again, and become an apostle to the Gentiles. What does it say about this community that we have taken on the name of such a prolific and transformed messenger of the Good News? We are rooted in Paul’s story, along with the stories of all who have come before us. Like the stump I recently removed, the roots are only part of the story. Roots alone can’t survive. They need a plant. They need new growth. They need leaves, flowers, and seeds to fulfill their potential. Therefore, it is appropriate to include a celebration of Baptism in our celebration of All Saints because, in this act, we point to the saints of today and the promises of saints to come. Look around this sanctuary. There are God-given gifts in this space that are currently being generously shared to proclaim the Good News right now. Through our clothing cupboard, our relationship to Community Living, our work to offer affirmation and inclusion to those who are marginalised, and the ways we have opened our doors to the community. St. Paul’s continues its efforts to be one in God and community thanks not only to the roots we have inherited, but also to the stems of our leaders that strengthen the plant, the leaves that sprout from our work, and the flowers that bloom with the love we share. This is the family of faith that is the inheritance offered to Alexandra today and all who find their ways into our humble space. Who can say what will happen with the seeds we scatter? Who can say how this might impact Alexandra throughout her life and in the family she builds? All we can say is that we trust God working in the lives of our ancestors, in our congregation today, and into the future. Past, present, and future come together in our celebration today. This is the gift of this moment. This is promise we make together in our baptismal covenant: that we will continually seek God’s help to offer an inheritance of faith to those we encounter. This is our trust that the roots we have inherited will not rot and be eaten because we continue to seek ways to grow, thrive, and be transformed. With faith, hope, and love, let us give thanks for what we have inherited and generously be an inheritance for others. This we pray as we sing together: (VT) 762 This Little Light of Mine.