From the Interim Rector: June Manifest 2022
A number of years ago I came across a poem that seemed such a wonderful illustration of what it means to truly trust God. It was written by the Reverend Susan Rauch, a Methodist minister and a highly regarded author. I have used this poem in sermons from time to time over the years, including here at Epiphany. It has been rambling around my head in these last weeks as it seems particularly germane to where we find ourselves today in our journey to our new church building.
Nearly four years ago, the Vestry of the Church of the Epiphany invited me to take a journey with you as you prepared to leave behind what was familiar and reach out and take hold of what could be. And here we are. So tantalizingly close to seeing the first fruits of Epiphany’s new life, mission and ministry realized as we take physical possession of 351 East 74th Street. However, we are not there yet.
As with any journey that is worth taking there are times when the way is smooth and progress is unimpeded. And then there are times when the way is rougher than we had anticipated and more costly than we expected, and we find ourselves stymied by what to do next. For me, those times are the worst. I am a fixer by nature. Problems are there to be solved. Challenges are there to strengthen our resolve, deepen our faith, clarify our vision and bring us into greater harmony with God and our neighbor. The poem from Susan Rauch that I would like to share with you reminds me that as we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” as Paul states in Philippians, we do so not in our own strength or by our own skill but in the ever-deepening awareness that indeed, “the one who began a good work in us will continue to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:6). All we are asked by God to do is to let God use the gifts, talents, skills and resources God has entrusted to our stewardship to bring to fulfillment the promises of God. In short, as is often said, we are asked to just let go and let God. For many of us, perhaps for most of us, that can be hard to do. Especially when the prize we have worked so hard to achieve is so very very close.
“A New Way of Struggling”
by the Reverend Susan Rauch
To struggle used to be
To grab with both hands
And shake
And twist
And turn
And push
And shove and not give in.
But wrest an answer from it all
As Jacob did a blessing.
But there is another way
To struggle with an issue, a question
Simply to jump
Off
Into the abyss
And find ourselves
Floating
Falling
Tumbling
Being led
Slowly and gently
But surely
To the answers God has for us
To watch the answers unfold
Before our eyes and still
To be a part of the unfolding
But oh! The trust
Necessary for this new way!
Not to be always reaching out
For the old hand holds.
Throughout our shared journey over these last 3 and a half years, I have been repeatedly amazed and blessed to see a community of faith so authentically live out Rauch’s words. You literally jumped off into the unknown the day you sold your building and purchased another. And, a little less than 2 weeks ago you did it again. You jumped off into the unknown when you said goodbye to the building that has been your spiritual home for over 80 years without your new home being ready to welcome you. However, over these last 3 and a half years together we have also found ourselves repeatedly being led slowly and gently but surely to the answers God has for us while all the while being a part of the unfolding. Soon, and very soon I hope, I will be able to give you the date for when you can see firsthand all that your faith, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to all that Epiphany already is and all it will yet be with your own eyes as you walk the hallways of your new church, ride its elevator from cellar to roof, and see the space that will be sanctified by your prayers, your faith, and your unwavering commitment to never being afraid to jump off into the abyss and discover once more the answers God has for you.
Faithfully yours,
Fr. Roy
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