Last Sunday afternoon, I was asked to give the “Charge to the Pastor” at a neighboring congregation’s Service of Ordination and Installation for their new pastor. Such occasions always take me back to my own ordination, and my charge reflected my journey in special ways. I share the charge given that day.
After thirty years in ministry, the image of shepherd and sheep – the relationship of shepherd and sheep is a central part of my understanding of what we’re called to be about in the ministry to which God calls us, so I’ll begin with that. Psalm 23 speaks of the Shepherd who rests us in green pastures and beside still waters and restores our souls; the Shepherd who leads us in right paths and walks with us through darkest valleys and comforts us; the Shepherd whose goodness and mercy follow us all our days.
I charge you to live into the fullness of that relationship, allowing these gifts of God to undergird your life and ministry in this place, so that you may be the shepherd of the flock that you’ve been called to be; so that you can do for others what you’ve first allowed God to do for you.
In John 10, we hear of the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep; the Good Shepherd who came that they might have life and have it abundantly; the Good Shepherd to leaves the 99 in the fold and goes out seeking the one lost sheep, and brings it home rejoicing; the Good Shepherd who speaks of one shepherd and one flock and of other sheep that are not of his fold, that need to be brought in.
I charge you in your life and ministry to be such a shepherd, seeking the lost, welcoming home the wandering, and bringing in other sheep to the fold.
In John 21, Jesus engages in conversation with Simon Peter, after breakfast on the beach. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. I ask you to hear Jesus asking you those same questions and to give your response.
1. Do you love me more than these?
(Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.) Feed my lambs.
2. Do you love me?
(Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.) Tend my sheep.
3. Do you love me?
(Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”) Feed my sheep, and follow me.
I charge you to love the people of God in ways that nourish and care for them; challenge and correct them, and help them to become the Body of Christ God intends them to be.
And one final thought, given to me on the day of my ordination, as my lifelong commission in ministry, words I now share as words of commissioning with you.
“We are simply asked to gentle a bruised world.
To be compassionate of all, including oneself.
And in the time left over to tell the old, old story
and follow in the way of God’s foolish ones.”
I charge you to be a good and faithful servant leader, stirring up the gift of God that is within you and trusting God to complete the good work begun in you. I give thanks to God for your ministry in this place.
Elizabeth
A group of women from the Jackson Springs Presbyterian Church enjoyed several days together at Oak Island Beach. Going on a retreat together is a wonderful way to draw closer to God and to each other. As we lived together in community, walked the beach, enjoyed local seafood and a little shopping, and worshipped and shared together, we grew in our understanding of God’s love for us, and our love for one another.
Our journey together included “stopping by the well” with the Samaritan woman, and over-hearing Jesus’ conversation with her; stopping by the synagogue where Jesus was teaching, and seeing him heal the “woman bent double”; stopping with Jesus in the push and shove of the crowd, and seeing the woman touch the “hem of his garment;” and stopping by the house of Mary and Martha, and being encouraged by Jesus to “choose the better part.” As we reflected upon our place in each of the stories, we came to see ourselves and each other in new ways. As we explored the stories, we recognized our need to “stop by the well” for conversations with Jesus; we discussed all the ways we are broken and “bent double” and in need of Jesus’ healing touch; we talked about ways we are losing strength from day to day because of burdens we carry; we learned about how important it is to “choose the better part,” that we might experience the abundant life Jesus came to give us.
In addition to scriptures, we also considered “gift from the sea” in difference poems and stories. The Starfish Story told of a little boy picking up starfish stranded on the beach after the tide had gone back out, and tossing them back into the water. There were so many of them! A man walking by told the little boy that what he was doing “didn’t matter,” because there were so many he couldn’t save them all. When the little boy replied, “It matters to this one,” as he tossed a starfish out into the water, we got the message that each of us “matters” to God. As we read Psalm 139, we remembered all the “even theres” of this life, where God’s hand led us and held us fast. As we read “Footprints in the Sand,” we remembered those “one set of footprints” moments in our journeys of life and faith, where God had carried us through.
A change of pace and place brings special blessings! Giving thanks for those blessings we shared in our days together at Oak Island Beach, and for those streams of mercy, never ceasing!
Elizabeth
Spending a few days with an old friend is a great blessing! The time spent remembering our past, sharing today and dreaming about tomorrow was rich and full. How important it is to reconnect with those who knew us “when!”
Both of us are retired, yet still working in our chosen fields on a limited basis. As we sifted through the years of our time together, we remembered God’s faithfulness at every point of turning. Together we celebrated the “remembered goodness of God.”
I recalled a time when I was struggling and went to a retreat center for a few days to “listen” for God’s leading. I was weary and discouraged in ministry, was beginning to feel stirrings of a new sense of “call,” at a time when the last thing I wanted to consider was a move to a new place. I spent some time outside on the grounds my first afternoon there. A wooden cross in a corner garden caught my eye. There were sweetgum trees all around, so little sweetgum balls covered the ground. I picked up a few and started tossing them into the area around the cross. I was hurt and discouraged, and those feelings came together in growing frustration along with the words - “What are you asking of me now?” – I questioned God in those sad moments.
After a while, I wandered into the library looking for a book that might help. I came to a listening center, with cassettes and tapes (that dates this memory!), and pushed the start button on one to see what I might hear. The room filled with a beautiful melody, “All I ask of you, is ever to remember me as loving you.” Over and over that melody played – again and again. It was an answer to the question I asked in the garden, as I hurled those sweetgum balls toward the cross. My heart softened, tears flowed, and in that very moment, I found rest and peace.
I’ve kept that chorus in my heart through the years, and am always touched by its simple beauty and the comfort it brings me. Only this morning I learned that is comes from the Sufi tradition of Islam, the mystical part of the Muslim faith. From its origin as a Sufi song, the poem has become a contemporary song often played in Christian groups. It is called “All I Ask”, and the Benedictine monks of Weston Priory in Vermont produce lovely cards with this tender wish. Gregory Norbet, OSB, wrote lyrics to accompany the beautiful chorus.
I give thanks for wonderful memories, for the dear friend who shares them, and for the “remembered goodness of God.”
Elizabeth