Commitment

This Saturday, the Episcopal churches of the Bridgeport deanery had their confirmation service with our new bishop, Ian Douglas. There were dozens of people there, making a conscious and intentional and public affirmation of their faith. Some were being confirmed, and some who had already been confirmed in a different tradition were being formally received into the Episcopal tradition. Our friend Chris from Grace Church was one of the people who was received. Chris started coming to Grace Church last fall, and something just clicked for him. I believe God called him here. This just seems like the right place and the right time for him to take part in the life of a church community, and we are so grateful to have him among us.

Chris felt called to make it all official, and here he is, with his Mom, the bishop, me, and Nikki, one of the priests from St. Paul's where the service was held. His sisters were there, as were a number of Grace Church people. We were all there to witness Chris' new commitment to his faith and to the church. Afterward, we all went back to Grace Church where we had a beautiful pot luck lunch to celebrate.

We all know Chris cares about the church and is going to be among us for the foreseeable future. So we really didn't have to give up a Saturday to go to a two hour long service with the bishop, and Chris didn't have to get all dressed up and drive his family all the way down here, and we didn't have to make all the fuss of putting on a luncheon and Chris' sister didn't really have to make the most beautiful cake any of us had ever seen, either. But you know what? It was really, really important to do these things. Because it's important not just to notice someone's commitment, but to publicly recognize and celebrate it. Chris' commitment is something the entire church (Grace Church and the whole Episcopal church) needed to respond back to and acknowledge and formally notice.

I talk a lot about how the current model of church in our country is unsustainable and about how it needs to change. I talk a lot about how we need to discern what God is calling us to do together and how we need to find new ways to enter into God's mission in the world. I talk a lot about how people of faith have to walk the walk of discipleship and not be complacent and content with 'social club' churches. I talk a lot about how people need to step up and respond to God's call to us. But talk is cheap. Without commitment, none of this will ever happen, and our church will just be one of many that will die away over the next few decades.

So I am moved by Chris' commitment to our little church community, and I was thrilled to have him take part in the whole fancy ceremony of being received as an Episcopalian by a bishop dressed in full regalia. And I was also thrilled that our church showed up to witness Chris' commitment and that we came together on a beautiful Saturday afternoon to have a party, when certainly, there were other things we could have been doing. Because we were walking the walk that day. We showed up to put our feet where our thoughts and mouths are. We were being the church together.

Showing Up

I am feeling grateful today for friends. Here's a picture of the clergy colleagues I meet for breakfast every other week at the Bluebird. We're a fun bunch, despite all the collars. Working as a priest is a pretty intense vocation, and it's very people oriented and can be emotionally exhausting at times. My friends and I know we need to spend time with each other to decompress. The waitress at the Bluebird could tell you how loudly we laugh! We also know we need to spend time with each other for support. When we go through tough things in our parishes or in our lives, we give each other the attention and support we need. Who pastors the pastor? Other pastors! We all know that connecting with each other is part of what keeps us well. Sometimes my life seems too busy to take time out for breakfast, but I show up anyway. I know I really have to - for myself and for my friends. Friendship is what fills our tanks and our lives use a lot of fuel.

It has struck me lately just how important showing up is. Last night I went to my friend Donna's celebration of new ministry in Woodbury and helped her with the service. I loved being there for her and I know she really appreciated the presence of her friends and colleagues on such a momentous occasion in her life. I have also become very committed to showing up at my Al Anon and step meetings. Lord knows the presence of my new friends at those meetings has become an important part of my well being, and I'd like to think that my faithful presence at the meetings makes a difference to them, too. Lately, I've become newly conscious of where I choose to show up and where I don't. Maybe my new awareness began a few weeks ago, when I showed up at the funeral of my cousin, who I was not close to and hadn't known well. It was Holy Week, and I certainly had other things to do, but when each distant relative I hadn't seen in years said "Thank you so much for coming," I knew they really meant it. They were grateful I took the time to show up and be there with my cousins at that important moment.

Just showing up is a very powerful thing in this life. There are only so many hours in a day and I have to accept that I can't be everywhere. So I want to be as intentional as possible in choosing to be in those places I think it's really most important for my feet to be. I know everyone has to make such choices in life, so that's why today I'm so grateful my friends and I choose to show up for each other.