Cedar Morrigan"The Lord be with you!" There; do I have your attention? If I have learned nothing else about being an Episcopalian, it is that the above phrase will quiet and gather a group of Episcopalians and usually in an almost prayerful manner. Not only that, I happen to like it as a general greeting. I believe that God is with us always and being mindful about that with each other is important.
I was raised chiefly in the Roman Catholic church and was very active in that church until about 14 years ago. At that time, I was encouraged/asked by a priest to leave the church because so much of the politics of the church were hurtful to myself and many people I cared about. I have always been a deeply spiritual person and for a time was comfortable with worship in a family setting at home with Johanna and friends. As time went on, I found myself hungering for a larger (but not huge) community that worshiped in a church building with better music than I was capable of making. Finding the Episcopal church was truly a gift from God. It was like coming home to the wonderful liturgy of the Roman church without the hurtful politics (although the hymns are very different, the liturgy is even better). The warm and friendly welcome by the people at Our Saviour's convinced me that I was finally home.
I was received into the church almost three years ago. During that time I have gotten to know many people in Region III and especially in the Spirit of the Heartland churches. When I was called to the ministry team, I found myself very excited at the opportunity to serve with the people that I had begun to know in all of our churches. I have been honored to be a Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, Treasurer, Vestry member, a Youth Leader, active Altar Guild member and trainer of Acolytes, and a member of Diocesan Council. (And I can also park cars!) Needless to say, there was no way that I could continue in all of those duties and do justice to the Ministry Team, you or myself. So, I have had to give up some of those lay ministries and pared back on others.
With my involvement in EFM for 3 years, Cursillo, and Diocesan Events I have come to know that my call to ministry is stronger than I knew it to be or ever imagined it would be. I have always known that I was called to serve God and a church. As a young child, I began praying for the answer to where and in what church. I knew that the Roman church would not offer me the opportunity to minister in the name of the church. The call and confidence of the churches of the Spirit of the Heartland and the discernment committee helped me to find the answer. I am called to serve with a team of dedicated ministers from the Episcopal church in the Spirit of the Heartland. THANK YOU!
This is an exciting time for all of us. I believe that the Episcopal church in rural/central Minnesota is doing more than surviving. We are a church that is stepping out in faith so that we may thrive and grow; both of which I have witnessed already beginning to happen in a very short time. WE are the church. WE are the body of Christ. I am honored to serve with you and look forward to getting to know you as the beautiful spiritual beings that you are. Please hold the team in your daily prayers as we come together to serve. Together all of us can serve God and carry on the ministry of Jesus in our world today.
"Let us pray." Most loving and gracious God, bring us ever nearer to you that we may know and understand what it is that you would have us do as we all minister to each other in your Son's name; and so we pray that you grant to us your continuing guidance and ever present love, with the spreading fire of the Holy Spirit and the perseverance of Jesus the Christ. AMEN.