Stacy Wells currently serves as Memorial's Junior Warden (for the 2nd time around) and manages training development at the Federal Aviation Administration. She lives in Bolton Hill with her kids, Nate (15) and Mary Anne (13.5). You might see her being dragged around the neighborhood by her two pups - Beatrice (Bea) and Bennett (Benny). Her favorite role at Memorial is singing in the alto/best section of the Choir.
"Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly"
This statement is part of the Collect this coming Sunday’s service. Wow - what a neon sign that I need at this moment!
Over my 20 years at Memorial, I have rotated between the roles of the lost sheep and the shepherd. (Thanks, Pastor Ken for your preaching this past week!) But I constantly feel called back to Memorial and to serve this community. Why? For me, Memorial is one of those heavenly “things”. It is a space where I find the thin spaces and holy moments.
Homecoming Sunday started more like a moving sidewalk for me, than a holy moment. Grab potato salad and coleslaw for the potluck (no, it wasn’t homemade and that was weighing on me, but…); pick up the teenagers and drive the three of us the 3 blocks to church because it was pouring; choir warm-up; make notes for the welcome; check-in with a variety of folks on service logistics; give welcome; get to the back of church for Introit; try not to run into the alto in front of you while reading the hymn music (Justine, maybe we can sing the 1st two verses in unison? #askingforafriend); read the first reading (thank goodness there were no hard to pronounce places or names). All that to say, I was more focused on the logistics and to-do list than being present in the moment.
... and then the choir’s Anthem - Keep Your Lamps Trimmed & Burning. It was at this point that the moving sidewalk came to a screeching halt and the world stood still. The music flowed and filled the space. It was a warm hug; a deep breath.
For me, that was a heavenly moment. Sunday, it was the music that touched me. Other times, it is being able to connect with someone in an unexpected way. No matter what the situation, what I have learned over the years is that I need to recognize when I’m getting caught up in those earthly logistics or I’m going to miss those heavenly things. So, why not just sit back and keep watch for those heavenly moments? As with most things, it takes a village to run Memorial. And it takes a community to create those heavenly moments. I like to think Bill (our Senior Warden) and I, the Vestry, the Clergy, the staff, and the service volunteers are working to create a space where you can find your heavenly, holy moments. I hope we are serving you well.
Where have you experienced those heavenly moments? Be sure to remain present enough to recognize them when they occur.