Update from the Canon Missioner

Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and Siegfried, I am now three-quarters through the Ring Cycle and officially a member of the Great Northwest cultural scene. It has been very exciting and for me, a great treat to share the experience with Hunter Tynes who knows everything about Wagner's Ring! As a preacher, entering into the wonder of mythic story is as good as it gets. I will warn you, I am preaching on Sunday at eleven o'clock! Götterdammerung will be fresh and I will be exhausted. Who knows what good news will be proclaimed!

I am mindful as I experience Der Ring des Nibelungen that all such grand stories are rooted in our very human experience of love and loss, joy and sorrow, generosity and greed, and none of us are immune to the complexity and challenge of such stormy seas. To see it unfold on the grand stage with such incredible performers allows us to weigh in with our own stories. And here is where I begin today. The story of Saint Mark's Cathedral is a great one. It, too, is filled with every human emotion and the lofty vision of the Kingdom of God.

What is clearly true for all times and places, whether in great opera or ordinary time is that change is the only predictable constant. As we tell and retell the good news of Jesus Christ, remembering that most of this story is contained in a small span of three years, we can be encouraged by a greater reality - a promise of constant love, love we call God, the Holy One, Creator, and Ground of our Being. This love, manifest through the lens of Jesus, gives us a hope that soars above the highest fortress of the gods of our own imagination and keeps us steady, even in the face of constant change. That is the promise each time we gather in remembrance of the one whose name is love.

We must cling to this good news, even as we address continuing and constant change. Two weeks ago, Mary Coon shared with me her holy hope - she feels called to different work and will enter the Clinical Pastoral Education Program at Harborview Medical Center this fall. Nine months ago she asked to step down but agreed to stay at my request until we had reached a place of clarity and understanding about the financial story of Saint Mark's Cathedral. That clarity is emerging and will be shared as we move into our stewardship season. I knew that this time I needed to honor Mary's request. We are working on a smooth transition plan. During this time together, Mary has become a cherished friend and an inspiration to me. She is a knight of faith and has the courageous heart of a lion. But most of all, she loves this place and all of you. The blessing for us is that she will continue as a member of this body and will offer her best to the glory of God. And that is today's story - another bit of gospel life played out on the stage of grace. The world was forever altered because of the presence of this one man, Jesus whose life continues through us. Is there any greater story? Is there any better way to live? Is there any loftier goal than the very Realm of Heaven? I think not!

Blessings,
Rebecca+

 

The Rev. Canon Rebecca L. McClain,
Canon Missioner