The scene is October 2008. Imagine Good Samaritan Episcopal Church on a Sunday and the 11:00 am Eucharist. The celebrant, The Rev. Doris Dodds, opens the service in Spanish by saying, "Benedito sea Dios: Padre, Hijo y Espiritu Santo. Y bendito sea Su reino, ahora y por siempre." And the people answer--Amen. There are Hispanic acolytes and the preacher is The Rev. Johanna Morrigan who along with the entire team has completed an intense two year immersion course in Spanish.
In St. Stephen's in Paynesville, the congregation is composed primarily of Senior Citizens. The congregation and the Spirit of the Heartland team identified this group as a potential group of possible newcomers to the church. There are also others--mostly middle aged--who have discovered the richness and beauty of our Episcopal liturgies. Some team members along with parishioners are hosting a "New Member Coffee" that very morning after the 9:00 Eucharist presided by The Rev. Roger Phillips.
At the Church of Our Saviour in Little Falls, a similar scene is repeated only this time with younger parishioners and a very active Sunday school. The new parish hall completed in the fall of 2002 has paid off in terms of "stepping out in faith" and taking a huge risk and gamble on growth and change.
None of these happenings could have taken place without the leadership, vision, determination and perseverance of one dedicated priest, and you all know who that is--The Rev. Patricia Gillespie, sometimes known as Mother Flash! (or Central Minnesota's technological clerical trekkie genius.)
For everything its season and for every activity under heaven its time:
What profit has the worker from his/her labor? I have seen the task that God has given to mortals to keep them occupied. He has made everything to suit its time. I know that whatever God does lasts forever; there is no adding to it, no taking away.
Yes, and here we are this evening after having started our journey in 1999 with the first initial team formation gathering/retreat at Birchaven onOctober 15 and 16, 1999. It has been a happy and at times frustrating and difficult path for all of us. Throughout it all, Pat's "calming presence" and strength shone through despite some setbacks, misunderstandings and ongoing challenges.
For you parishioners, it has been a time of learning, growing and opening yourselves to change. Total Ministry was after all not the traditional model of one priest as Rector or Priest in Charge and the congregation. What we have accomplished and what each of you has supported is quite remarkable and revolutionary--it's turned the traditional model "upside down!" You have raised up your own to be priests, deacons, preachers, intercessors, liturgists, and other ministers while at the same time renewing a commitment to your own ministries.
I know that for Pat these past 8 months have been both painful and joyful. Painful--in that she's leaving ALL of YOU in these parishes that she has loved for 8 years or so. Joyful in that she sees the fruit of her labor--a Total Ministry Team which is the envy of the Total Ministry movement in the Diocese!
You taught us well, Pat. Each of us owes you an immense debt of gratitude. Personally for me, I would not be a priest in God's church were it not for your believing in me, supporting me and advocating on my behalf. Daresay, each and every member on the team would say the same thing and have the same feelings probably expressed in their own unique ways.
We know though that in the end it isn't about you or me or Zippy or Maren Kay or Char or Gunther or Rose or ……….. After all, what is Pat in this process? What is Total Ministry, the team and all the parishioners? "Simply God's agents in bringing us to faith." Each of us performed the task which the Lord assigned us: Pat planted the seed and the parishioners and team members watered it; but God made it grown. It is not the gardeners with their planting and watering who count but God who makes it grow. Whether they plant or water, sit in the pew or stand at the altar, they work as a team. We are all fellow workers in God's service and you are God's garden.
Or again, you are God's building! God gave Pat the privilege of laying the foundation like a skilled master builder; others put up the Total Ministry building. Let each of us take care of how s/he builds. There can be no other foundation than the one already laid in St. Stephen's, the Church of Our Saviour and Good Samaritan: I mean Jesus Christ himself.
And as Jesus asked Simon Peter in tonight's Gospel three times--Do you love me? He asks you and me tonight. Do you love me? Do you love Jesus Christ? He didn't ask, do you love your Church, do you love your wife, your husband, your grandchildren, your children? He asked Peter - do you love me? We must ask ourselves this question often because this is the foundation of our faith. And when Peter told Jesus he loved him, Jesus told Peter, "Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep."
Pat, this has been a favorite expression/admonition of yours, "Feed my sheep." You leave a legacy in the Spirit of the Heartland of "feeding your sheep", of caring for and showing love for all your flock. We are all deeply indebted to you for that and with prayer and God's help, we will continue that work you began here.
That is my charge to all of us, o each of you and me, tonight. And, if you remember anything about this sermon, please remember this.
Pat, you have fed us with your deep contemplative spirit, your prayers and your unwavering commitment to Total Ministry. Your love for Jesus shone in all you did for us. It shines brightly today. Peace to you and your family and prayers and blessings for your new ministry in the Iron Range parishes. Your passion and vision which we inherit will live one. When you visit us in 2008, we know you won't be surprised to witness the growth, renewal, transformation and revitalization of the Spirit of the Heartland parishes. Our foundation is strong and solid--it's the church's one Foundation--Jesus Christ himself! And you helped make it so--thank you and Shalom! Shalom!
Amen.