Celebrating Clergy Appreciation Month and Laity Service
posted on September 30
Let us be light for one another!
Celebrating Clergy Appreciation Month and Laity Service
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!
Psalm 133:1 (The Message)
“Grammy, who are all those people in these pictures?” my seven year old granddaughter asked as we walked through the Vestibule of the church one afternoon.
“Those are the people who have been our preachers.” I responded as we walked.
“Where’s your picture, Grammy?” her five year old brother questioned.
“I don’t have one up there.” I shockingly replied.
“Why not?” they both asked.
“Because I’m not a preacher,” I said.
“What does a preacher do?” my grandson asked.
“Well, they teach us about God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit when they speak to us on Sunday mornings…they teach us about the stories in the Bible…they pray for everybody and everything…they go visit sick people and other church folks……”
“That’s what you do, Grammy, so your picture should be on the wall, too” this bright young lad declared.
Out of the mouths of babes….
The difference between laity and clergy should be as clear as it is to my grandchildren: that we all work together for the good of God and His kingdom and for the good of each other.
On behalf of the laity in this mighty fine district, welcome newly appointed clergy and to those returning. How grateful we are for each of you, your families, and for your servant’s hearts and spirit-filled leadership. We are especially appreciative of you navigating us through trepid waters during the uncertain and terrifying pandemic and continuing to do so as we cautiously emerge from its after effects. We marvel at your creativity and tenacity to serve and nurture us during this strange, unprecedented time. Thank you.
And Laity, our work continues as we work alongside of our pastors, ensuring that God’s purpose is accomplished and that His good news is spread within our parish and beyond. We safeguard our pastors and their families, each other, and the sacraments of God. Thank you.
Psalm 133 expresses this unity of believers and laborers rather perfectly:
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion. Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal. (The Message)
What an image. Like a well-oiled machine but with Christ’s heart, we toil together.
October is Clergy Appreciation month and it is the month we recognize and celebrate our laity also. I encourage you celebrate both within your worship service and beyond. Contact me if you plan a Laity Service Sunday…I have laity lapel pins that you might wish to present. I have a few other ideas, too!
Those grandchildren of mine are quite perceptive, delightfully bright…naturally they are…their Grammy, the Preacher, has taught them well!
Together, let us, clergy and laity, begin and continue in the name and love of Christ, our Savior, to bring light to our world.
Let us continue to be light for one another.
Love,
Kim
Kim Eller, District Lay Leader
Northern Piedmont District
