A Year
Last week, on July 1, I celebrated my one year anniversary in this job. Well, I didn’t actually celebrate, I just sort of noticed that I had been here for a whole year. And what a year it has been. My personal life has been filled with conflict and turmoil and transition - we’ve had one major transition in our family every month since arriving last June. Geez, it has felt chaotic. But, work, work has been so amazing and so wonderful.
A few months ago, I had to write a “report” for the Annual Report. This is what I wrote:
Sitting on the fence. Like Humpty Dumpty or the Rolling Stones, I’ve just been sitting on the fence. Not because I’ve been indecisive but because sitting on the fence is the perfect place for me to watch and reflect. Since I arrived here 7 months ago, my primary goal has been to watch, listen, and learn, and I have seen and learned much in that time.
I have watched a faithful community of people gather on Sundays to engage in the mystery of Holy Communion. I’ve watched children at play, both in worship and on the playground, living fully into who God has created them to be. I’ve watched couples, arm in arm, devoted to one another after years and years of love and companionship. I’ve watched families struggling in faith to bring God into the center of their common life. I’ve watched people caring for one another in both simple and profound ways.
I’ve heard laughter. I’ve heard crying. I’ve heard outbursts of anger. I’ve heard singing. I’ve heard shouting – some during play and some during moments of pure frustration. I’ve heard incredible music coming from our beautiful organ. I’ve heard the voices of angels praying. I’ve heard kind words in the midst of troubled times. I’ve heard the gospel proclaimed. I’ve heard the ancient and beautiful words of scripture. I’ve heard truth.
I’ve learned that an enthusiastic group of people really can rake 6 acres of leaves on a Saturday. I’ve learned that listening is always better than talking. I’ve learned that this community responds to the needs of others with abundant love of grace. I’ve learned that the history matters. I’ve learned that there are new ideas everywhere I turn. I’ve learned that there is a hunger and thirst for righteousness here. I’ve learned that God is at work in powerful ways in the midst of this faithful community.
Sitting on the fence has given me the incredible experience of getting to know you, the people and community of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field. You are truly created in the image of God. I am so blessed each day to be here with you.
I really feel like that is a good summary of my experience here. Certainly, I have participated, my time here hasn’t all been observation and reflection. But I do feel like that was a huge part of what I did in the last year, and an important part. Getting to know this congregation and my place in it was of utmost value.
I think next year will be the time for jumping down from the fence and mixing it up a bit!
Posted by
at
15:25:56
Wow Julie -
That was beautiful