Dear Calvary Family and Friends,
As I let the dogs out this morning there was the faintest trace of snowflakes wisping through the dark and cold. Winter is on the way much too early it seems. Only last weekend the weather front came through and the gusts of wind began to blanket the ground with yellow, orange, and red leaves. Unlike some years when winter seems to creep up, not so this, but then everything seems to be passing by so quickly. It’s hard to believe that in just over a month, I will begin my forty-first year in charge of congregations in the Diocese of Lexington. I was a seminarian and asked to serve the Episcopal Preaching Station in Ravenna that last Sunday of Pentecost in 1982. In the summer, when we took the kerosene heater out, we could seat eighteen. Once or twice, when family was in town, we almost used each seat. In my whole ministry, I have served small congregations, that is until I came to Calvary. It is the first time I have ever held the title of Rector, although I serve only as an Interim Rector. And while serving that interim role is nothing new for me, most of the places I have served were with the intention it would only be for a short period of time. The largest problem with that is making close relationships, getting to really know people does not occur when the expectation is that they will only be together for a short time, especially when you live hours away and serve several faith communities. This coupled with being an introvert and a fairly private person, not comfortable prying into people’s lives. I have held the belief if someone wants me to know something about them, they will tell me. All probably poor traits for a pastor. Having served these small congregations, I am also not uncomfortable preaching and celebrating with only a few present in the pews. Again, probably not a great trait, but it does give me a unique understanding of leaving the ninety-nine in search of the one. At the same time, Jesus calls us to spread the Kingdom of God to all we meet.
Calvary has many assets that make this possible. You have many committed members who are faithful week after week for worship, members who survived the isolation of Covid, eager to return to your worshiping community. This in no way means to denigrate the small churches, for they too have very committed members, but when there are few present and a visitor arrives, they are unlikely to return. You also have thriving and growing youth. I continually hear people speak of young people as the “future of the Church.” Yes, they will be here long after we are gone, but to think of them only as the future is to deny they are also the present here and now. To simply relegate them to another time, to always have them sit at “the children’s table” when we
gather is in my mind to say they are not really part of the family. You clearly welcome all who enter. You reach out to those in need, and there are so many other gifts you have that can be offered to spread the love of Jesus.
I have no idea how long I will be with you. I pray I will leave Calvary at least as vibrant as it was when I came, hopefully, more so. I can be a cheerleader, a guide, a shoulder to cry on, or face to cuss when things go wrong, but the truth is that for Calvary to grow, to thrive, will depend on you. I, like Mother T.J, Father Chip, Father Jack, and all the clergy who have and will be here, are not members of Calvary. Clergy come and go. You only need to look at the wall in St. Mary’s Hall. Covid can be blamed for much of the decline of the church and yet, one needs only to look back to the time of the Spanish Flu outbreak and see that the followers of Jesusbounced back to spread his word. You are doing so as well. May we go forth proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Peace,
Bryant+
