Backward & forward

On a trip to St. Louis recently, Nathan, Theo and I visited Nathan’s relatives, many of whom were meeting little Theo for the first time. One of those we visited was Nathan’s grandmother and Theo’s great-grandmother, Jeannette. Jeannette is 92, still living at home. She was absolutely thrilled to finally be meeting her first great-grandchild. We spent the better part of an afternoon at a photography studio having family portraits taken, at Jeannette’s request. It was important for her to have a visual record for the whole family of this meeting of the generations. In particular, she wanted a photo taken of the four generations present that day: herself, her daughter (Nathan’s mom), Nathan, and Theo.

Standing back and watching, reflecting on how important this all was to Jeannette, I was moved by what this portrait represented: the love and the sense of identity and belonging that get passed on from one generation to the next. Jeannette was being very intentional about this, not for her own sake, but for the sake of all of the others in her family now living and to come.

All of this, of course, reminded me of the 125th anniversary celebrations that will take place in 2009 and 2010 here at St. Paul, and the recurring themes of looking back at our history as well as looking ahead to the new paths God is calling us to walk. As we reminisce about the past, look at old photos, and think about what it might have been like for the first members of St. Paul, mostly immigrants, to live, work and worship in Jersey City, let us ask God in prayer what we might learn from them, what gifts they have to give us as an inheritance. And then, as we give thanks for them and their foresight, let us also welcome the new day that God is bringing into being in and through us.

Who are we now? We are a diverse congregation, from many nations and backgrounds, living in an ever-changing city and world. Where do we go from here? Our joy will be in discerning, through prayer and courage, our calling in this generation. One thing we know, however, by virtue of our Baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection, is that we are people who are nourished at Christ’s table and strengthened for service in Christ’s name for the sake of the world. Like Christ’s first disciples—like Peter and John and Thomas and Matthew and Paul—we are sent. That is part of our inheritance. That is where we begin to put this new portrait of our life together into focus, with that conviction and that trust: We are sent, and we are equipped for that which we are being sent to do in the world, whatever it may be.