Finding Rejuvenation in a Houston Mall
Recently I had the opportunity to be away from my desk for four full days at the Episcopal Parish Network conference. The presentations were inspiring, and connecting with colleagues was rejuvenating. But it was a LOT of extroverting, which included the setting. The event was held in two Westin hotels that bookend an indoor mall with over 400 stores and GOBS of shoppers!
Still, I returned to St. Andrew’s uplifted by the hope and joy that the speakers—lay leaders, clergy, and non-church folk, alike—offered in their various messages. The Episcopal Church is in good hands, of that you can be assured. Not only do many of us care deeply about maintaining this wonderful tradition, we are motivated to help the institution continue to evolve so that we can help the most people possible experience the depth and breadth of God’s love.
Unfortunately, our scheduled keynote speaker, Presiding Bishop (PB) Michael Curry, wasn’t able to join us, since he’s still recovering from some health challenges. Instead, a panel was formed to recognize his accomplishments over his nine year term. Because we will be electing a new PB in June (I get to participate in General Convention, too!), the question was raised, “What will we do without Bishop Curry at the helm?” One of the panelists, Stephanie Spellers, who’s on the PB’s staff, responded that she loves Bishop Curry and that working with him has been the thrill of her lifetime. “But,” she added, “Michael Curry is not the Messiah.”
Canon Spellers continued, motioning to all of us, “We are the Church. We do this work as the Body of Christ.” She pointed out that, while Bishop Curry has been instrumental in moving forward the conversations about racial reparations, for instance, resolutions to do this work had been passed at General Convention before his term began. She and others reminded us that we can be confident our next leader is being cultivated by God right now with just the gifts we need at this time.
The other presentation that really moved me was one about multicultural ministry. A seminary classmate of mine, the Rev. David Romanik, shared his congregation’s story of starting a worship service in Swahili to address the needs of East African refugees resettled in Abilene, Texas. Father David suggested that the celebration of Baptism in our parishes is the perfect metaphor for how we should welcome the stranger into our midst.
Listing other favorite parts of the baptismal liturgy, he said, “But my favorite part is that a couple of pews get filled up with the baptismal party and their families, forcing parishioners to move to pews they don’t typically sit in.” He explained that the Gospel calls us to make room for the stranger, and that more than welcoming, it’s about allowing ourselves to be transformed as we help others feel a sense of belonging.
I appreciated the question he challenged his congregation with, and will leave it for you to ponder: “What might it mean that God has brought us together?” Or as another presenter suggested, it’s not us asking, “What will we do to help them become like us?” Rather, “How do we, whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel, open ourselves to being further changed as we share God’s transforming love with newcomers?”
-by Mother Brenda Sol