The Servant Church in New and Mutual Ministry

Last evening in our small Victorian church of St. Paul’s, Port Townsend, we happily gathered for the Celebration of New and Mutual Ministry. The occasion was to publicly proclaim the mutually discerned call and acceptance of Dianne Andrews to be our Rector and for us to continue in ministry together, with Dianne as priest among us. This Liturgy of binding offers, by turns, heart-expanding joy and deep soul searching seriousness. It packs a whallop of affirmation, confirmation and commitment pledges at us and requires from us, publicly, individual and community response.

As always, we have choices we can make. We can choose to be silent. We can choose to say “No”. We can choose to say “Yes” with our lips only. We can choose to say “Yes” with our lips, our hearts and with God’s help. Yes. . .with God’s help.

This is the Way and importance of the “church gathered”; to affirm and remember who we are and whose we are. It was a time we remember and pledge ourselves to follow in the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, our Christ. If the “Yes” we pledge to our Baptismal vows is the kind of “yes” that shakes our soul, we know that we have committed ourselves to be Christ’s disciples in action Outside Church Walls in all sorts of weather and circumstances.

I invite you, at this mid-point in our walk through the Season of Advent, to read and ponder the words of Hymn #779, “The Church of Christ in Every Age”. It was the processional hymn, gathering us into community last night. In what ways does this powerful hymn speak to you and move you to a new birth of ministry and mission in this 21st Century?

The church of Christ in every age, beset by change but spirit led, must claim and test its heritage, and keep on rising from the dead.

Across the world, across the street, the victims of injustice cry for shelter and for bread to eat and never live until they die 

Then let the servant church arise. A caring church that longs to be a partner in Christ’s sacrifice and clothed in Christ’s humanity. 

For Christ alone, whose blood was shed, can cure the fever in our blood. And teach us how to share our bread and feed the starving multitude.

We have no mission but to serve I full obedience to our God: to care for all without reserve. And spread Christ’s liberating word.

MaryAnn