The Cross at the Center

It is simply a few weeks now until I complete my ministry service at Cashiers UMC.  I am teetering between North Carolina and England, and my heart is caught in the middle.  I shared some final words with the congregation in our June newsletter, which I have included below.

My eyes were drawn to its rainbow of colors—to its mesmerizing pattern. I actually saw the small shapes instead of only the large image. With the rays of the morning sun, I felt a warmth from the streams of glowing light. The details caught my attention, as if for the very first time. The sanctuary cross definitely finds a prominent place among us, and hopefully we do occasionally see it with a new perspective. I most certainly did.

While hearing the sounds of worship, I noticed. I caught a new glimpse. I received that image of the stained glass cross and all of its truth with new perspective. Although I have seen it numerous times before, it really was as if I was seeing it for the first time. I reflected on those small shapes, thinking about their purpose in forming the larger shape of the cross. I reflected on their different directions. I reflected on their distinct colors. God invited me through this fresh encounter with the cross to consider the life and shape of the body of Christ.

Then, I heard that little voice of Avery Morgan. She was before us, awaiting the waters of baptism. She was looking at all of us, and she was truly thinking her baby thoughts out loud. We all were watching and listening, as the water trickled down her head and her expressions traveled throughout the sanctuary. As she was carried towards the aisle to receive her special welcome into the body of Christ, her eyes were drawn to that brightly glowing cross, and in an instant she was silent. She noticed and caught a glimpse.

In this moment, I knew with even more certainty that this cross tells us something of the life and shape of the body of Christ. It tells us that even a little baby is welcome. It tells us that we are able to find our place differences and all. It tells us that our lives of faith are joined one by one by one. It tells us that there is more than enough room for each of us and for others.

As I prepare for my departure this month, I am grateful that the cross of Christ joined me with you and you with me. I am grateful that I found my place in the part of the body of Christ that is Cashiers UMC. By your faithful witness and practice, you have given me more than enough reason to trust that the body of Christ offers hospitality and kindness. This is immensely encouraging, as I finalize my plans to move to England and to find my new place in the body of Christ. I hold this truth of the cross close at heart and find comfort in the midst of transition.

It has been a joyous four years, and I sincerely thank you for sharing faith, ministry, and friendship. I deeply appreciate the time that I have had in ministry with you. I will hold dear the memories and will cherish our life together. I will depart knowing that I have formatively experienced the love of Jesus Christ in Cashiers UMC. And this formation will be a blessing, as I carry out pastoral ministry in England in Thatcham Methodist Church and Kingsclere Methodist Church.

I will be at Cashiers UMC until Sunday, June 22nd, and then I will close out my time in ministry that week with the youth on the summer mission trip. We will leave for England on August 6th and will begin our new ministry appointments on September 1st.

With the brightly glowing cross in the forefront, I will trust. I will give thanks. I will be sad. I will be excited. I will look back. I will look ahead. I will love. I hope that I will forever see the rainbow of colors, the mesmerizing pattern, and those unique shapes. I hope that the image of the cross will throughout my journey of faith bring me into moments of humbling silence. I hope that the streams of light will always offer comforting warmth. I hope that my memory of this cross will remind me over and over that there is more than enough room in the body of Christ. May we continue to catch a glimpse of this brightly glowing cross and know that it binds our lives together forever in the name of Jesus Christ.

Thankfully, I have a place in the body of Christ right now in North Carolina, and with trust I look forward to my place in the body of Christ in England.