Have you ever wondered why God has called you to a particular place of ministry? Are there particular pieces of ministry God has called you to do in a particular time/place? Sometimes we may never get an answer to that question, or perhaps we get it upon reflection, after the fact. But sometimes, we get a sense of understanding while we are still present, and wow is it a gift!

I am wrapping up my first experience as an Interim Pastor of a 400 member PC(USA) church in the northeast. After 33 years of ordained ministry, I trained during COVID to see if this was a particular new calling for me. I have served as an installed pastor in PC(USA), UCC as well as non-denominational congregations for varying lengths of time. This has been an exciting new challenge.

One answer to the questions, “Why am I here?/What am I here to do?” have come a bit more quickly during this past year than it has in some other calls. It came recently in a card from the husband of a member of the congregation. He and his husband recently were married after having been together for 10+ years. They are a delightful couple, but they have maintained somewhat of a distance when they have attended worship. Only one of the two is a member. His family has been very active in the congregation for years.

In early January, the husband of the member met me in the hallway on the way into worship and handed me a Christmas card. It expressed appreciation for my ministry, but more specifically for the Pride service we held last June. As a part of that service, I had asked his husband (the member) if he would be one of three people to share their experience of being part of a congregation which practices welcome and full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

As a bit of background, under the leadership of the former Senior Pastor and the current Associate Pastor, the Session had long before adopted a bold inclusivity statement which is printed in each week’s bulletin. Shortly after my arrival, the Session easily discussed if they were ready to celebrate Pride during worship and to become part of More Light Presbyterians. After some discussion last May, the answer was a unanimous “Yes!”

The service last June was joyous, and testimonials were tearful. Each of the three congregants received standing ovations. We held a sermon talk-back session after the service to engage further discussion. The sister of a sitting elder came and spoke of her journey as the mother of a trans son. At the end of that time, one of the oldest members of the congregation raised his hand. Some people were a bit worried about what he might say. His words, “My family has been coming to this church for four generations, and I couldn’t be prouder of this church than I am right now,” impacted people deeply.

But the card from this generous man, brought it all home to me personally. He said, “You gave me an experience I never thought I would have at church and healed a wound I thought I would carry forever.”

I am extremely grateful to this young man. He didn’t have to share his feelings, but he gave me a gift I’ll treasure always. I am grateful to the Session which stood/stands for radical hospitality and for the congregation at-large, which is located in a somewhat politically conservative area. I am grateful to God for letting me be a part of this unfolding. It’s not that others couldn’t have done it, but I got to witness this transformation.

That man was one of the reasons I was called to this church in this time, even if for a year. I am humbled.

Thanks be to God!