Charge to the Congregation

Sermon

Charge to the Congregation by the Reverend Dr. Deana Reed

Deana is living with ALS and used an assistive device called a “Talk to Me” so she could “speak” her written words here through our sound system.

There are few words that can express my excitement for this particular celebration of installation. A day full of hope. A day to say “Yes!” to a continuing, deepening, covenant relationship with the Reverend Lindsey Hubbard-Groves. Thanks be to God.

This morning, Lindsey has answered the questions asked of every deacon, elder, and minister of word and sacrament being ordained or installed in the PC(USA). Many of you have answered them yourself.

Among those questions, my personal favorite is: Will you serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love? Will you?

Lindsey answered “I will.” And we know we can trust that. Because in her past 18 months serving as our “Temporary Supply” pastor, we have seen it. And felt it. And known it.

Lindsey lives out these words in each encounter – at meetings, small group studies, times of fellowship, and of course in worship and in her preaching. In all these moments, we experience her sense of call, her pastor’s heart, her sense of humor, AND her energy, intelligence, imagination, and love – embodied and shared! Friends, we are indeed blessed.

AND, we are called. This celebration, this installation, this day is not just about Lindsey. It is also about all of you, all of us, and how we will partner with Lindsey to share in God’s work.

So today I charge you, the congregation, to keep doing what you’ve been doing. Welcome Lindsey into your lives. Invite her gifts, her ideas and opinions, her whole self. Open yourselves to her leadership. When she tries new things, support her. When she does something different than the way it’s always been done, trust her. Listen to where the Spirit is calling all of us.

Remember to encourage Lindsey, to pray for her, and to honor her ministry here at Westminster. Know that she is doing the same for us. Support Lindsey, Crystal, and Merrick as a family – both in the time they spend with us and in the time they spend away. Both are vital.

Finally, know that Lindsey’s presence will change us, if we let it. So my final charge to you is to let it. Welcome her, as YOUR pastor. Amen.