A few weeks ago, a team came together to plan a liturgy, our Celebration of New and Mutual Ministry. As with most Episcopal liturgies, we had a number of options before us: varied prayers and litanies, scripture, Eucharistic prayers. I asked folks to prayerfully consider choices that reflect the character of Christ Church now, the qualities and gifts I bring as the new Rector of Christ Church, and where we sense God is calling us together.
As we discussed texts and prayers, a clear pattern emerged. We chose a Litany that reflects the beloved suffrages and prayers of the people found in the Book of Common, a mark of our shared tradition. The Gospel from Luke best articulated both the need and the hope that we become a community that engages our neighbors, and that my job as Rector is to help get us ready to be sent out. Isaiah sets before us the vision of communal peace and justice. Romans highlights that this communal work depends on the specific gifts of unique members of the community.
The entire service was shaped to highlight the sense we had that Christ Church is both ready, and also needs to get ready, to go out together and get to know and care for our neighbors with the shared gifts we already have as a community.
This is especially reflected in the Induction. We had the option of choosing a more traditional offering of gifts to the Rector of specific symbolic items (a BCP, a Bible) by specific leaders of the community. Instead, we chose to invite every leader of every ministry to stand with their teams and accept an invitation to join together in common practices of worship, learning, eating, serving, compassion, and justice.
Christ Church has waited a long time for consistent clergy leadership, and while waiting, leaders have stepped forward to try new things in order to stay connected and deepen relationships. This week, we celebrate this mutual ministry that we share, which not only is about celebrating my new arrival, but our new work together.
I can honestly say I do not know where our new and mutual ministry will take us, but I am excited about the creativity and passion I see burbling up throughout our community, and the desire to come together so we can go out together. I hope to see all of you this coming Wednesday, and I hope that at the end all of us are standing (in body or spirit) ready to move forward together in accordance with the faith and gifts God has distributed to each of us.
