One day last week, autumn arrived in form of a wind storm, with sheets of rain, and cooler air on the other side. We are still having warm days, but there’s definitely a nip in the air in the mornings and evenings, and we feel the running energy of a change in seasons. Here on Cape Ann the sky is a deeper blue, the air seems clearer on clear days, and green leaves on trees are radiating the dark rich greens that precede the inward change which will lead to glorious foliage in a few weeks.
This morning, we woke once more to rain and gray skies, but it is a festive day, the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, one of my favorite feast days. Some of us are traveling to Worcester, this morning, to Trinity Lutheran, where our new Bishop, Rev. Jim Hazelwood, will be installed. I am very attached to Bishop Margaret Payne, who retired this year. We did well under her care, and St. Paul, Cape Ann, benefitted very much from her deep care and oversight. I will miss her; she was personally supportive to our family, a pastor to pastors, and an exemplar of the kind of contemplative faith that leads to loving, life-giving action in the world. The whole ELCA benefitted directly from her leadership, during the first six years of the sexuality studies. We will all miss her. That was very evident at our Synod Assembly in June, in our tearful, funny, heartfelt grateful discussions with her.
This Sunday’s lessons concern leadership, as Moses is overwhelmed by his duties as spiritual leader. He receives a direct lesson from God in servant leadership and shared authority. May our new Bishop be blessed with every kind of help, from our Lord’s love and concern, to all of our hands and hearts, as he begins his work with us. May the Holy Spirit pour out over, through, and in him, every kind of blessing, more than he needs, so his ministry proceeds from a sense of abundance and joy. I wish him well. I’m looking forward to the next phase of ministry here in New England. It should be a wonderful day, today, so will report in tomorrow, during the 10:00 a.m. service of worship. See you there, PA