Weekly Reflection - 1/31/2024

St. Mary's Reflection: The Rev. David Erickson

Annual Meeting: Participating in the Extraordinary Ordinary!

This Sunday, 2/4, at 11:20am, Lunch to Follow

Now you are called to work as pastor, priest, and teacher, together with your bishop and fellow presbyters, and to take your share in the councils of the Church.- BCP pg.531. Ordination of a Priest

During a priestly service of ordination, the bishop calls for the soon-to-be priest to live out the call of all the baptized to “make Christ known as Savior and Lord.” The bishop then invites the individual to the unique call of the priesthood, which includes the participation of the councils of the Church.

I have always found that fascinating. In the midst of this call that is deeply of service to individuals and a single community, there is also a call and commitment to the larger body, the “church.” It is actually a part of my priestly duty to go to convention and other, rather mundane, meetings. It may not be why a person gets into the priesthood, but it is certainly a part of the priesthood.

In the same way, I think it is an important spiritual discipline for members of a local church, like St. Mary’s, to participate in our annual meeting. This is the official meeting where we elect the vestry and deanery leadership for the next year, report on the finances from last year, and look forward to the year ahead in terms of finance and vision. It may not be the most exciting event, but it is an important one. After all, we are coworkers with God in this mission field of San Francisco, and each of us has authority and responsibility. Perhaps you have a concern or a question, or even a celebration of our faith community? All of these may be brought up at our annual meeting. And to be present to clap for the new vestry leadership gives them hope and support for their work ahead.

I do hope you will take the time to join us for the annual meeting, and to stay for the parish wide luncheon afterward. This is a great time to meet people from one of the other services who love St. Mary’s as much as you do. I promise, it may be ordinary, but Christ’s extraordinary joy and grace will be there as well!

The Rev. David Erickson