Today is July 1 on the calendar; this reflection is not my usual when it comes to my blog posts. At the beginning of this new month, clergy in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church begin the first day of their “new” assignment since these assignments or appointments are made annually. Each year is new even when one is returned to the same place they served last year. As a clergy person myself, I am open to be appointed or sent wherever in Virginia that the Bishop and her cabinet choose to send me.
My first appointment was made at annual conference in 1983; I was sent as an associate pastor to a downtown church in Charlottesville, Virginia while I finished my undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. In 1985 after I graduated I was sent (on loan) to an appointment in North Georgia, becoming the pastor of four small churches while attending seminary. I transferred and finished seminary in Washington, Dc and served for two years on the staff of a large church.
In 1992 I was ordained and appointed to serve a small church in northern Virginia called Saint James. It became an easy way to remember my name for folks since we share the name James. When I came to Saint James, the average tenure of a pastor in Virginia was 4-6 years.
Jump forward to today, July 1. I have been sent to Saint James to serve for another year. Today is the first day of year 33. I could not have imagined in 1992 that I would still be serving this church and the last year I was prepared for the likely potential it would be my last year. It was the day after Easter when I heard the final word that I would be returning.
I have spent some of this morning reflecting on these years leading until now and of today, a new beginning. There are some lessons that emerged from my reflections:
- Every day, every moment is a gift. Savor and enjoy it wherever you find yourself.
- Don’t become too attached to expectations.
- Remind yourself every day that control is an illusion.
- Wherever you find yourself, be your best Self and give your best effort where you are.
- Be creative wherever you are, making the place you find yourself better than when you arrived.
- There are no foregone conclusions about the work you do.
- Learn and grow, stretching yourself and understanding.
- Expect challenges and be prepared to face them.
These lessons have guided me and will continue to do so as I embark on this 33rd year at Saint James. Here’s to new beginnings and the ongoing journey of service and growth.
Infinitely Precious 