I saw two very moving pastoral homecomings this weekend- one for someone who’s actually supposed to be retired from the ministry but who finds himself rather unexpectedly back at it -and the other who is was just ordained this past June and so is just at the beginning of her ministry. To experience these two homecomings over the course of a single weekend was a truly moving experience.
The first happened yesterday at the wedding of Jodi Habighorst, a Carthage graduate (class of ’02) who was a much valued member of the Carthage Choir and about whom I have such fond memories. She was marrying a fellow Carthage alum, so it wasn’t hard for them to choose Carthage’s Siebert Chapel as the site of their wedding, and Jodi asked Kathy and me to do the music. The finishing touch was in inviting Rev. Dean Peterson – known affectionately as Pastor Pete to the students to whom he ministered – to come back to Carthage and officiate. He was so tickled to be asked, partly because the invitation is strong affirmation that he made a difference in the lives of Carthage students. . . and also because it gave him the opportunity to be back in Siebert Chapel, pastoring, for the first time since he departed Carthage. His homily at the wedding was so heartfelt and personal (and funny, especially when he talked about how at least most of the pre-wedding counseling was done via Skype. Think about it. Pastor Pete was born before a single soul in America owned their own television set- and now he’s using Skype. I love that!) Pastor Pete left Carthage a few years back in order to return to the parish ministry, and retired a few years after that- but then (as has happened with more than a few pastors) has found himself drawn back into the ministry because of the widespread need for interim pastors. So Pastor Pete, so deserving of a long stint on a chaise lounge beside a swimming pool somewhere, is still in the trenches . . . working faithfully as a minister of God, and my respect and admiration for him continues to grow.
Then this morning at Holy Communion, I got to witness a very different but equally inspiring homecoming. It was the first time that the congregation was able to see Sarah Rouse Clark, one of their own, as Rev. Sarah Rouse Clark- complete with clerical collar! Sarah and her family joined Holy Communion as she was beginning high school, and over the years she was a treasured part of our congregation for so many reasons- her kindness, her joy, and her lovely violin playing as well! And I have to say that one of my very favorite memories of Sarah is from some years ago after a young friend of ours, Aaron Palmer, was diagnosed with something called Krone’s Disease (a disorder of the intestines that can be serious but otherwise can be a source of frustration and worry.) It turns out that this is something with which Sarah has had to contend, and it occurred to me that it might be helpful for Aaron (a young boy at the time) if Sarah were to stop by his house, meet him, and offer a few reassuring words about living with Krone’s. And she very gladly agreed- and did beautifully – and I remember thinking that she had a makings of a wonderful pastor. And here she is, some years later, exactly that! She happens not to be a huge fan of traditional clerical garb, but decided that it would be fun for members of the parish to see her in one of her official clerical shirts, complete with clerical collar. What a blast to see this young woman, who just yesterday was in high school, as the Most Reverend Sarah Rouse Clark! Amazing! And what was even more amazing and gratifying was to see her so comfortable and assured as she led the service, preached the sermon, and presided over communion. One would never guess that she has been ordained for less than three months! Actually, she led the service with a special sparkle that one might attribute to the freshness of youth- but on the other hand, that’s also very Sarah- and I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if that same sparkle is there many years from now.
We were all so proud and pleased, but not half as pleased as her dad Steve- who served today as assisting minister at both services and also joined me in some special music. The song, by the way, was a setting I composed of Isaiah 42: See I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine. You are precious in my sight and I love you. Of course it’s a text about God’s love for us – but in having Steve sing it today, it also became a song about a father’s love for his daughter.
Two homecomings. . . two poignant reminders that part of who we are is in where we have been and who we have counted among our family and friends. . . and a reminder that life’s homecomings allow us to remember that and to give thanks for the people and places who have helped to shape us into who we are.
pictured above: Sarah Rouse Clark in the pulpit at Holy COmmunion, preaching today’s sermon.