Sitting on the pew on Epiphany Sunday, Pam and I realized that it was the 10th anniversary of the first Sunday we attended St. James Episcopal Church. During the past 10 years we have passed numerous milestones in our lives and been on the receiving end of far more blessings than I probably deserve. To mark this auspicious occasion I’m offering up a list of 10 of my favorite things about St. James.
In no particular order:
1.The children’s procession to the altar with their offerings. Those beautiful little faces fill me with hope.
2. Mary Muir’s smile. We met Mary on that first Sunday at St. James. She sought us out, welcomed us, and introduced us around. I have never spoken with Mary when she didn’t have something positive to say. Her spirit is infectious. She makes me smile.
3. The reflection of the stained glass windows on the wall of the chapel during the late fall and early winter. Not to go all southern on you — but Drew Hawley once told Pam that his daddy used to say it looks just like a Christmas tree all lit up.
4. The foodies who bring fabulous food to our gatherings and share recipes. The St. James Cookbook should get updated regularly. In fact we need a searchable online database of recipes. Who has programming skills? I know some great cooks.
5. The old people, and by old I mean all of us over 50. St. James is one of the first places where I met older adults championing diverse views. I appreciate the conversation. The exchange of ideas allows me to grow.
6. The increasing population of exes — former fundamentalists, former nonbelievers, former seekers. We’ve all left some religiously sanctioned judgment in search of that place where God loves us. Welcome!
7. The bliss of sitting on the pew after we’ve been traveling. Pam and I love to explore, and we try to attend services when we are on the road. We’ve visited large cathedrals in Rhode Island and small chapels in Arkansas. We’ve prayed in 200-year-old church buildings in Tennessee and received the Holy Eucharist with a crowd of seven in Vermont. Each of those gatherings and gathering places enriched us, but no matter where our travels lead, there is something peaceful about coming home to the familiar and the familial St. James.
8. The community of having someone to connect with at any given moment of the pre-dawn when I am awake obsessing over things I cannot control. I tip my hat to the sleepless. The late night Facebook roll calls buoy spirits and build kinship.
9. Prayer shawls and those who knit, purl, or crochet every stitch. Receiving a prayer shawl is incredibly touching. I’ll be forever thankful for mine.
10. Singing “Thou, Whose Almighty Word.” Each time we sing it I promise not to cry, but by the time 150-plus voices join together and sing “…move on the waters' face bearing the gifts of grace, and in earth's darkest place, let there be light!” I start to choke back tears. When we reach “…boundless as ocean's tide, rolling in fullest pride, through the world far and wide, let there be light!” the tears overflow. Those words move me in ways I can’t articulate. It is by God’s grace that I live in a place of light. I never take that for granted.
There are so many more reasons I love St. James. Please share yours. Peace y’all.
