Commitment
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ? (Rite of Confirmation, Book of Common Prayer)
Grace and peace to you this morning. I pray that as we lean into the summer months and the long growing season of the Church that you open yourself to God’s abundant blessings.
Tomorrow we will celebrate the rite of Confirmation. Fifteen youth and adults will affirm their faith and commit to the responsibilities of their baptism before God and the bishop and receive the laying on of hands by the bishop. We will join them in renewing our own baptismal covenant and thereby recommitting to God and one another.
This New York Times opinion piece explores the topic of commitment and the human need for community. Commitment– showing up for one another – is what builds community. We come to know one another more deeply, care more deeply and build lasting friendships. I wonder if the decline in commitment is contributing to the epidemic of loneliness in the United States. It seems like society values commitment less and less these days. With dozens of activities vying for our time and resources, our affections are pulled in multiple directions.
I am grateful for the commitment to community at St. Peter’s. We are a people who show up for one another! Last week’s picnic is just one example. Our pastoral care team regularly calls those who are unable to join us in person. Lay Eucharistic Visitors bring communion to the home-bound. We celebrate our seniors and offer our musical talents at special events. As one person recently shared, “St. Peter’s people are happiest when we are together.”
It should be no surprise that our first promise in the Baptismal Covenant is to continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers. We are called into the heart of God through Christian fellowship and the breaking of bread. This commitment is a response to God’s steadfast love and call to return to God. The author the New York Times opinion piece quotes spiritual teacher Ram Dass who wrote that “we’re all just walking each other home.”
Walking each other home. Indeed, when we commit to showing up for one another, we are walking one another back to the heart of God.
I look forward to seeing you tomorrow as we welcome Bishop Dabney Smith and take our place in supporting the fifteen individuals who will take the bold step of recommitting to God and Christian community. Let us walk together into the heart of God.
The Rev. Jenifer Gamber, Rector
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
