Dear Friends:

Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States is quoted as saying, “The supreme quality of leadership is unquestionably, integrity.” Over and over again, experts who study leadership across the globe list strong moral principles as essential to effective leadership. Today, as we celebrate the life and ministry of President George H. W. Bush, we can honestly say he was a man of deep integrity.

Integrity is rooted from the Latin word meaning “whole or complete”. I imagine most of us are on the journey to integrity as we strive to be whole or complete. But integrity is about being consistent in our actions and responses. In other words, how we are at home? How we are at work? How we are everywhere else? Integrity is a consistency of behavior in all situations and every place; especially when the potential outcome could well be controversial. Obviously, we can’t be people of deep integrity all the time in all places. We make mistakes. We become emotionally tangled. We let fear, hurt and anger dictate our behavior. Consequently, integrity is a journey.

In journeying with integrity, we’re consciously aware of our decisions and choices and how they reflect our true selves as well as how they impact others. Are we leading with an honesty that truly helps others? We recognize while on our journey to integrity that there’s always room for improvement. How do we employ humility and authenticity as we engage with others? Where are we intentionally empowering and inviting others to grow in integrity? What practices are we undergoing to strengthen our integrity?

As we continue on our Advent journey this week, we’re aware of those “greats” who share the leadership characteristic of integrity from President George H.W. Bush to Sunday’s reading for Advent II. Luke begins with priest Zechariah’s prophecy, who, filled with the Holy Spirit, gives praise and thanksgiving first to God as he then prophesies the good news of Jesus’ coming, which is made known through Zechariah’s newborn son, John. John is to prepare the way for Jesus. Under the guidance of his beloved father and mother, John grows strong in character, bold in integrity.

Also this week, we’ll celebrate the life and ministry of St. Nicholas, patron saint to children. St. Nicholas is known to have dedicated his life to helping the needy. Legend has it that a father of three daughters worried how he would provide a dowry upon their time of marriage. St. Nicholas is said to have thrown enough coins through the windows of the family home to accommodate the daughters plans for marrying. On Sunday in worship we’ll be honoring this holy man of integrity as we invite all the children to leave their shoes in the Gathering Space as they come into worship. Coins of a special kind will be awaiting them as they exit worship! Gifts of humble, merciful generosity are true signs of integrity.

May your Advent journey open your eyes and ears and minds and hearts and souls to a deeper relationship with God in Christ, our one true leader.

Blessings,

Hillary