February 28, 1999
As usual we gather today, the first day of the week, to remember and to give thanks. To remember the love God has always had for us; to remember that the greatest expression of that love, Jesus, took on our human flesh, and ultimately gave his life for ours. We gather to give thanks that the power of God's love is constantly making life new. We give thanks for being welcomed into the fellowship of those who know and love God in Jesus Christ.
But this is also an extraordinary Sunday for us at St. Margaret's. There will never be another Sunday like this one. If you are visiting us for the first time today I will tell you that the hand of God has pushed, or pulled, or prodded, or guided you to us this extraordinary Sunday. If you are an occasional visitor here, or if you are a regular here, you know that what makes this Sunday extraordinary is that we celebrate and give thanks for the ministry of our Lord through Jean Smith, our Assistant for Lay Ministries.
Every parish that I have served has been blessed with a Jean Smith, at St. David's her name was Betty Higgins, and at St. Mary's her name was Gerri Nelligan. A person of great and quiet faith, often working so quietly as to be missed. Working for God's glory in ways that are often known to God only. And yet a person whose faith and ministry is so strong and so dependable that in time everyone comes to count on the presence, the ministry, the faith of that person. Again, if you are visiting us for the first time, I hope you can call to mind that person from your own parish, as I give thanks for the ministry of Jean Smith at this parish.
Sharing your discomfort for having the spotlight aimed at you, I promise, Jean, that I will be brief and I thank you in advance for your graciousness in forgiving me this extravagance in highlighting your ministry among us.
Jean will officially retire as our Assistant for Lay Ministries on her birthday tomorrow. Practically speaking this means she will no longer come into the Office every Monday through Thursday morning and she will no longer be vested and present at every Service on Saturday and Sunday. But don't be alarmed, she is not simply going to retire and disappear.
The desert has been her home for over 30 years, St. Margaret's has been her parish in these years and will continue to be her parish (of course we would have it no other way). Jean will continue to meet with the Wednesday Morning Prayer Group that so faithfully intercedes for all who ask our prayers (and even for those who have not asked for our prayers, but need them nonetheless). She will continue to schedule our lay readers and chalice bearers, and has promised to take a turn as reader and chalice bearer at least once a month at our different services. She has promised to continue to be present at our Wednesday morning service each week to pray for healing and help with communion. And I have no doubt that the hand of God will continue to guide her into situations and ministries which will require her special touch and sensitivity.
Her official retirement from the Staff of St. Margaret's will spare her the many meetings necessary to maintain an energetic parish, and yet allow her to stay quite involved with the ministries that give her joy.
As a staff member Jean has been present for most, if not all the baptisms done at St. Margaret's over the last 12 years. Repeating and living into the baptismal covenant that many times has shaped her ministry and inspires mine and I hope yours, too.
For, truth be told, we are all ministers. Part of Brad's purpose in hiring Jean to the Staff of St. Margaret's was to lead the way in developing and encouraging the ministry of the laity. By her quiet presence and example, Jean has done that.
Let's shine the spotlight on the Baptismal Covenant for a moment. Again, if you are visiting from another parish, it may be helpful to call to mind that man or woman who in your own parish preaches the gospel by example, living the Baptismal Covenant in such a way as to encourage others to do so.
The Covenant begins with a confession of faith in One God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Tucked into this confession is the belief in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. If you have talked at any length to Jean Smith you know that this faith is her strength, you know that she is able to encourage others by the durableness of her strong faith. We have all enjoyed the quiet power of her faith.
The Covenant continues with a series of questions beginning with one that asks if we will continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers. Clergy come and go from this chancel, but on Sundays that Jean Smith was absent, the questions about her health and whereabouts were numerous. It simply seems natural to Jean Smith vested and present for Holy Communion and the prayers. Over the years this quiet service has profoundly affected all of us. Her example of being present in the fellowship, in the breaking of the bread (communion) and in the prayers has been a loud exhortation and encouragement to the rest of us to do the same in fulfillment of our promises at Baptism.
Jean has shared her knowledge in a variety of classes over the years, including helping many of you prepare for your confirmation in the faith. Again, by presence, by patience, by preparation in prayer and study Jean has set a wonderful example for all of us.
Another question in the Covenant asks if we will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourself. How many of you have felt the warmth of her smile, especially in times when you were in crisis? How many of you have experienced the joy of her smile as you entered the church for the first time, or upon your return to the church after a summer away? How many of you have listened to her wise and faith filled counsel as you faced one of life's hard decisions? We all can say that through Jean's smile, and touch, and presence, we tasted the smile and touch and presence of our God who finds us exceedingly precious through Jesus Christ. Jean acted as a catalyst many times, to unlock that knowledge of how much we are loved by our God. May we have the grace to do the same.
We are also asked in the Baptismal Covenant if we will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. How many times did Jean respond, "I will with God's help"? And we are here to honor her today and thank her today because in ways too personal to share, in ways too numerous to list, Jean preached some of the most powerful sermons ever heard at St. Margaret's (and sometimes she had to use words). She truly proclaims by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. She brings that Good News to life with her smile and touch and prayer. And we give thanks.
To set this in perspective once more, Jean retires from the Staff of St. Margaret's on Monday. She is not retiring or moving from our parish, we will continue to enjoy her presence here in a new way. And, I believe that God will let her get some rest before setting her off on some new adventure to bring the beauty and the power of His love to life in the work of her hands and the prayer of her heart.
Jean, it has been my privilege to serve with you on the Staff of St. Margaret's these last 6 years. You have been an inspiration to me in my ministry. (And I know that you have been an inspiration to many here this morning.) You have been a real joy in my life. On behalf of all your friends at St. Margaret's I pray that God will bless you REAL GOOD on your birthday and beyond; may the light of Christ continue to shine in you and through you to the glory of God the Father and the joy of God's people. Amen.
The Rev. Daniel Rondeau
drondeau@stmargarets.org
28 February 1999