Departure Sunday
Cue Sad Trombone
Today is my last Sunday at my home parish. Next Sunday I will begin a discernment internship at Galloway Memorial Episcopal Church down the road in Elkin, NC. I am honored to begin the next leg of my discernment journey. My supervising priest strikes me as patient, innovative, and beloved by the Episcopal and Lutheran congregations he serves. As one who loves good preaching, and I am eager to hear Father Jonathan’s sermons. I have no doubt I will continue to be inspired and challenged by the power of the Holy Spirit. During this discernment internship, I hope and believe, the Spirit will lead me to new opportunities for growth for the glory of God as we continue to follow Christ’s example in the Way. That is my hope and prayer.
When I walked into my mother church this morning, the church that embraced me and gave me my identity as an Episcopalian, my excitement was twinged with a tinge of sadness. I know the rhythms of this church, the peoples’ name, and I know I belong. The conversations I had with my Trinity parishioners has been, “I’ll be around,” but the reality that this is my last Sunday at Trinity became real to me, and my call became more real to me. I have been called to serve the Lord and His people. If Lord willing, I am ordained a deacon, my membership is with diocese, and I serve at the pleasure of the Bishop.
I have had faith for many, many years. As I was reminded by James into today’s Epistle reading, what good is faith if you don’t act on it? Thank you, Trinity for helping me hear and understand my call. You taught me so much besides when to sit, stand, or kneel. You taught me that the party really is for everyone in God’s kingdom. And it’s joyous.
