anticipation

A weekly Rector’s Notes reflection

I am living in a state of anticipation these days. We are (hopefully) less than 10 days away from welcoming our second daughter into this world. It is exciting to prepare for her arrival, and a bit anxiety-inducing, constantly pondering on how the shift from one to two, from three to four, will impact our daily lives individually and as a family. This anxiety was magnified a bit when we decided to also move to a new town, into a new house, and for me to start a new position, all within the same month or so that we expected our daughter, but as Krista says, “We figured we may as well do it all at once!” But through this anxiety, I can’t help but feel excited. I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of our daughter, because I want to meet her. I want to get to know her. I want to discover with her, her unique and interesting personality, likes and dislikes. I am anticipating watching Charlee grow into her role as big sister, and I am anticipating getting to help her understand her role as the oldest (I too am an oldest sibling).

This feeling of anticipation at home has been compounded with the anticipation I have in launching into a life in ministry with the peoples of St. Stephen’s. Again, the anticipation has a touch of anxiety with it, it’s almost impossible not to, but ultimately the interactions I continue to have with each new person I meet, the feedback I have already begun to receive, and the little things I have already been able to do, all add up to satisfaction for a successful launch and greater anticipation for what is possible in this place, at this time.

I am sure too that many of you at St. Stephen’s are also experiencing a sense of anticipation. Anticipation to see what the new rector is like. Anticipation to see new life and ministries infused into this place. Nervous anticipation about the possible changes that may be coming.

I want you to know that I recognize this anticipation that is in both me and our community. And, I want you to keep that energy and excitement as we progress through this fall. My goal is for us to build anticipation together for what St. Stephen’s can be now, and what we can be in the future, in terms of forming and shaping our community today, and the impact we can have on our larger community tomorrow.

This means that, before we can do anything, we have to prepare. Before we can welcome our next daughter, we had to prepare the nursery, to unpack all of the little baby clothes, to plan for Charlee’s care during the delivery, to plan for family and strategic areas around the house to leave toys and blankets. As a church, preparation will look like conversation, training, worshipping together, and exploring the ways we can be church together. I encourage you to attend the Fall Forums to be part of that conversation. I encourage you to attend trainings to be part of our worship life. I encourage you to come in and sit with me and share your story and the anticipations you have for me, for this place, for our community. Together, I hope we can anticipate a long and fruitful life together.