Welcome
Each week one of our pastors or staff members writes a column observing what is going on in our congregation, the Church and the world, and offering reflections on the Christian life and faith. Through this series of columns, we hope to connect your and our story to the enduring story of Christ; to offer pastoral reflections on our ongoing congregational life and mission; to report on news of the Presbyterian Church and Church universal; and to invite further reflection and deeper discipleship. We welcome your comments and suggestions. In other words, our words here are an invitation to continue the conversation.
In September, a day or two before Don and Jody Smith moved to California to be closer to family, Don came to the church for a farewell hug and handed me a letter which said in part...
“Theologians talk about a prevenient grace that precedes grace itself and allows us to accept it. I think there must also be a prevenient courage that allows us to be brave—that is, to acknowledge that there is more beauty than our eyes can bear, that precious things have been put into our hands and to do nothing to honor them is to do great harm. And therefore, this courage allows us, as the old men said, to make ourselves useful. It allows us to be generous, which is another way of saying exactly the same thing.” ―Marilynne Robinson, Gilead
This week marks the end of our pastoral relationship. As you know, I have heard and accepted a call to serve as interim pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA. Sunday we celebrate our shared time, say our goodbyes, and Ruthie and I will depart for Virginia. I begin my new call on Tuesday. I will preach my first sermon next Sunday, October 19. I conduct my first memorial service next Saturday, October 18.
A great day of celebration is in store for us on Sunday. When Rachel Pedersen, our new Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministry, began to coordinate her installation service, the staff decided together it should take place on a Worship Together Sunday, when children (4th and 5th graders) and youth stay through the whole worship service so they could be part of the celebration.
A friend of mine tells the story of her toddler twins, who were told to share their toys with one another. For a while what they understood from this was not quite what the parents intended. When one wanted the other’s toy, he would grab it and pull, insisting loudly, “We share!” Sharing is perhaps not as easy to teach as we wish it were.
I remember receiving my third grade Bible. I remember the red leather cover, the bold gold letters on the cover, and my name beautifully written in Mrs. Scherer’s careful calligraphy. I think about that Bible and the adventures we had together.
During his career, my father was an economics professor. Over meals and long walks, I can recall many financial conversations throughout the years. You could say I learned economics from the classroom of life as my father’s son. But knowing something in theory doesn’t always mean you know it in practice.
