Howard spoke eloquently of his time as a student in Singapore. He shared with us the experience of his host country - one stratified by race, social and economical status, and ancestry. His host thinking this would be strange to an American must have been surprised by Howard's answer - staring at the young man Howard shared, “Ian, I grew up in Richmond, Virginia. We perfected social stratification by race, ethnicity, and class a long time ago. So, no, I do not find it strange, just extremely sad.”
Looking for a church to attend Howard found one. It had all the colonial era trappings. He wondered who would attend. His story continues:
The first person to enter was a late middle-aged woman. The severity of her posture; her high heels, silk dress, perfectly coiffed hair, and an arresting pearl necklace all spoke eloquently to her place in the social order. She advanced down the center aisle, came to her pew, knelt and began to pray. I looked down at my knit shirt, thin cotton pants, and running shoes and decided that if I had breached the preserve of the well-dressed elite, I should leave now, before I embarrassed them and myself. But as I rose to leave, the next person entered: a young Indian man, mid-twenties, who seemed to be wearing a neatly pressed work uniform. As he passed the pew where the woman was kneeling, he paused and addressed her by name: “Good morning, Lady Isabel.” She looked up and warmly acknowledged his greeting. I dropped back into my seat.
As the sanctuary filled, I was surprised, and then confounded. The congregation reflected the city’s diversity. I expected to see the various racial and ethnic groups cluster as they sat. They did not. I witnessed greetings, handshakes, hugs, and even kisses across social barriers I had been led to believe were impermeable. I began to wonder, is it possible? Is it possible that the New Covenant can transcend caste? As the service concluded, the Rector invited everyone to join him at the refreshments table at the foot of the garden—and at the nearby sign-up table. The church was beginning a major outreach effort, and many hands would be needed. Whose hands, I asked myself.
The young Indian man preceded me into the garden. There he joined a woman I presumed to be his wife who was holding a loudly unhappy infant. As they tended the child, they were overtaken by Lady Isabel, heading toward the tea urns. I know the clenched-teeth smile of social condescension, the smile that does not rise to the eyes. This was its opposite; this was pure delight. I watched as she extended her arms, clearly asking to hold the infant, who, in her arms, instantly fell silent. Then a small hand shot up, closed on the pearl necklace, and began to yank. The father was alarmed, the mother horrified; in the distance I held my breath. Lady Isabel could have gently pried the little fingers open. She did not. She reached behind and unclasped the necklace, which the baby began to flail with gleeful abandon. Lady Isabel laughed, turned, and the four of them began a slow progress toward tea and sandwiches.
My attention was diverted by the swelling crowd in front of the sign-up table. The volunteers crossed race, ethnicity, gender, and age. I marveled. My thoughts went to the Apostle Paul writing to the community of believers he had founded in Galatia: “In Christ,” he proclaimed, “there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal. 3:28) My focus reverted to the improbable family of four who were now passing through the only area in the garden not in full shade.
And that’s when I saw it, fleetingly, but I did see it. In the white heat of the equatorial sun, I saw the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
It is my task as chair of Stewardship, and my privilege as your fellow parishioner, to invite you to renew and, if possible, increase your pledge, remembering, please, that no collection plate has been passed in this church in 19 months. You will receive a pledge card in the mail to be filled out and returned, but I ask you to consider pledging online, which would be more expedient for everyone.
I solicit your financial support, not out of the church’s need but rather our common thankfulness. And we have much to be thankful, do we not. We are thankful for the decade Fr. David cared for this congregation, culminating symbolically and literally in the very roof over our heads. We are thankful for the two exceptional priests Fr. David called to join us, and for the continuing ministry of our curmudgeonly, but much loved, senior priest. We are thankful for our conscientious and capable Vestry who, in time, will call our next Rector, and who, at present, are implementing our Long-Range Plan. We know who we are. With the Plan we know where we are going and how to get there. And we will. We are thankful for our tireless director of lay ministries whose teams, supporting the needy in our city, have kept St. Mark’s open while the church was closed.
And last, my own gratitude—that I do not have to make my way to Richmond International Airport to board a succession of penitential flights to jet half-way around the world to rejoin a congregation that is building the Kingdom of God. That salvific work is being undertaken here, at St. Mark’s. Thanks be to God! Amen, amen.
There are words in the Episcopal Book of Occasional Services written to tell us how to say goodbye. And that is good as we gather together this Sunday to wish Father David well in retirement. Good as I imagine words may come difficultly as emotions play their part in our last Sunday together.
We have much to be thankful for. Father David's time with us have been years of health, mutuality, and growth in ministry. We have fed the hungry and helped clothe those in need. We have sheltered the homeless and supported those in recovery. We have stood as witness on the Arthur Ashe Boulevard for what is right and kind and just. We have actively listened to God's call to us as individuals and as a community. We have worked to bring the kingdom closer.
And this will not stop. We are stronger and more confident for Father David's presence and guidance. We will miss him and he us.
As Rev. Dorothy preached on Sunday referencing the reading from James. Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. Father David, I realize that the path for life’s journey brought many of us to this intersection. Many loving hearts that those around us never seemed to understand found that understanding here. Many who just hoped to have a chance to belong and serve learned the epitome of service is rooted in the hermeneutic of love.
Though most of us possess the ability to see -- many have learned to do so in a deeper and fuller way. Whether we showed up high maintenance or low, complaining much or little, possessing much or little, whether we showed up with a camera looking for a place to belong, the atmosphere of welcome greeted us. And Father David in the days ahead may that amazing grace of welcome go with you as you keep giving because I have come to realize, that is just who you are.
The heart of the matter really is the matter of the heart. Transformation is the fruit that comes from following that wisdom.
It was the mantra and the mandate of church leadership and members - we don't want to be two congregations, we want to come back when everyone can come back, we want to keep our members and friends in worship with us no matter that they live in another state or another country.
And we did it.
Was it perfect? No, but then worship never is.
Was it good to be back together - so good! One member commented, Thank you for today!!! It was so great to be back. Please pass on my gratitude to the St Mark's crew. Such a beautiful service and feeling of community!
We prayed the prayers, we shared communion, we listened to glorious music (thank you, Amos), we laughed, we applauded, we rejoiced at being together. And it is just the beginning!
Kinda looks like a little person on top of the stand!
So she needed a name.
This not so new to us now Zoom technology is a step toward doing what leadership has said from the beginning of the virus shutdown - when we come back together we want to come back together as one congregation. As St. Mark's.
Zoombowill allow for that 10am check-in with our distant and at home members and friends. If you are in the church walk up to the screen and say hi to Becky and Diane, Bill and John, and Sarah's mom.
At 10:30 the view will change and those on Zoom will see and hear the service.
Will there be technical issues and glitches - yes, already have had some!
But we are working to do the most we can with what tools we have.
Our intent is to be one congregation
no matter where we sit.
The service will be somewhat different even for those in person. Masks, social distancing, no congregational singing and guys we have to rein in the Peace at least for a few more Sundays, fellowship after the service outside on the porch or in the side parking lot.
Rev. Dorothy offered us powerful words in her Sunday sermon. She asked the question, What does one who loves God look like? Her answers are more questions - good thought provoking questions for us and our times.
What does one who loves God look like? The intent of the question is that the focus be internal. The outer ritual is intended to be a reflection of the inner reality.
What does righteous anger look like? The profane condemnation of others, the language and actions designed to keep “them” in line?
We readily celebrate Christmas and Easter with such pageantry outwardly. But are we really glad that love showed up in Bethlehem? In our depictions of that grand event of Jesus’ birth do we sanitize the birth so much that we forget the point was to identify with the ordinariness of the human experience?
Then the crucifixion-- the pain of false accusations. Jesus was not Empire -- Jesus was crucified by Empire.
Yes, this teaching is about moral laxity -- but not as those who challenged Jesus intended the question. The law was intended to be a life affirming way to live. Jesus never condemns the law. You see, the intent of the law was the matter of the Heart. No wonder Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the law. Jesus lived as one who loved God.
Jesus lived as one who loved God.
Dorothy quoted Richard Rohr on this manner of life:
… Good theology maintains two freedoms: it keeps people free for God and it keeps God free for people. The harder task is actually the second, because what religion tends to do is tell God whom God can love and whom God is not allowed to love.
In most church theology and morality, God is very unfree.
Putting God in a box, making God a commodity is not the message. God does not equal empire and empire certainly does not equal God.
In her book, The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community, Stephanie Spellers asks: How does a denomination historically connected to establishment and empire become a church that loves Jesus, lives in solidarity with the oppressed, and seeks the flourishing of all God’s children? Friends, she is talking about us - the Episcopal Church. Historically the Episcopal Church has too often been identified with and allied with the empire. Remember in the 60's - "the man." That has in some communities changed. That has in St. Mark's changed.
Spellers continues her good line of questions quoting the Rev. Paul Washington who challenges the church with the following:
Those who are cowards will ask, ‘Is it safe?’
Those who are political will ask, ‘Is it expedient?’
Those who are vain will ask, ‘Is it popular?’
But those who have a conscience will ask, “Is it right?’
Certainly in the long history of St. Mark's - 155 years - there were times when we did the safe, expedient, and popular thing. But there were on balance more times when this community stepped out in faith to ask, Is it right? And today we continue to ask, What is it we are called to do and to be, what is God calling St. Mark's into and out of?
This will not change. This is who we are as those who love God.
Terminology Around Transition, Search, and Calling:
What Some Key Words Mean
The Transition and Search process has its own distinctive vocabulary and protocols. Let’s get started learning what some important words in the process mean.
After David completes his ministry with us the Vestry has some choices in how to proceed in calling a new rector. Happily, for St. Mark’s we are not in a position that requires a quick decision. We are blessed with three clergy that although none are full time have already worked out the preaching schedule through November 21. We have a strong staff to keep the office running and tremendous lay leadership to keep our ministries humming. We have time to decide the best course for the church.
Some options are listed and explained below. The definitions are from the Diocese website.
Interim Rector – Temporary, usually one year or so
The Interim shall work closely with the wardens, Vestry, staff, and other parish leaders to prepare the congregation for the coming of the next rector by identifying and facilitating healing where there are internal conflicts and divisions within the congregation. The Interim will also help the Vestry and lay leaders align parish life and administration with the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention and of the Diocese of Virginia.
In this capacity, the Interim will perform functions normally undertaken by a rector on a full-time basis. Working with the Vestry and other lay leaders, the Interim will:
1)Manage the church office and will provide general direction to the staff;
2)Attend and preside at vestry meetings and any planned retreats;
3)Conduct the worship of the parish; and,
4)Tend to the pastoral needs of the staff and congregation.
Priest-in-Charge – Three Years
The Bishop of Virginia appoints the Priest to lead the Church as pastor, worship leader, and teacher, sharing in the councils of this congregation and of the whole Church, in communion with the Bishop. By word and action, informed at all times by the Holy Scripture, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention and of our Diocese, the Priest shall proclaim the Gospel, love and serve Christ's people, nourish them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.
The Priest-in-Charge’s ministry includes not only activities directed to the parish and its wellbeing but also to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the community. The Priest in Charge shall attend Convention, Clergy Conferences, Fresh Start, and others “Councils of the Church” and is encouraged to participate in a clergy support group and/or spiritual direction.
This Letter of Agreement is for an initial term of three years, during which time the Priest will be appointed as Priest-in-Charge of the Church. Prior to the conclusion of the three year period, but after no less than 18 months, there shall be an evaluation of the ministry. At the conclusion of the evaluation, and with the consent of the Bishop, the Priest may be considered for election as rector in a process of election approved by the Bishop and consistent with the Canons.
Further, it is stipulated that there shall be annual evaluations of the mutual ministry of Priest and congregation, and that the initial evaluation shall take place after Priest has been in place approximately six months with subsequent annual evaluations.
Rector – Permanent
The Rector shall lead the Church as pastor, priest, and teacher, sharing in the councils of this congregation and of the whole Church, in communion with the Bishop. By word and action, informed at all times by the Holy Scriptures, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention and of our Diocese, the Rector shall proclaim the Gospel, love and serve Christ’s people, nourish them, and strengthen them to glorify God in this life and in the life to come.
The Rector’s ministry includes not only activities directed to the parish and its wellbeing but also to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the community. The Rector shall attend Convention, Clergy Conferences, Fresh Start, and others “Councils of the Church” and is encouraged to participate in a clergy support group and/or spiritual direction.
Search Process:
National Search – Unlimited and expansive advertisement of the parish profile. A candidate submits their name to the search team via the diocese transition officer.
Targeted Search – The Bishop working with the transition officer provides candidate names for the search team to consider – usually 3 to 5 which the Bishop feels are potential good matches for the church.
As example the process that called Father David to St. Mark’s was a targeted search for a Priest-in-Charge. David began his ministry with us in June of 2012. He was elected (by the Vestry) Rector in May 2014. We did not have an Interim prior to David’s coming, Buck in his role as Associate Rector managed the worship and other functions associated with a rector or interim.
Our previous Rector, Rev. Margaret Watson was called after a national search process to St. Mark’s as Rector.
