Minister's Moment
September 2011
It's my last year...and as each month passes, I think, this is the last July...August...September I'll be here as your pastor. June 2012 seems too close now. My whole working life I've thought of retirement as something way out there--far away--a long way off. And here it is, 9 months away. Well, in my mind, as I count those months remaining, I think of birth. It is a kind of a new birth, into a life I can hardly imagine. I am delighted that Sandra and I will be with Kate and Stephanie. I so look forward to being in the same town with our daughter and being able to see her a lot more often. We love her and our daughter in law, Stephanie. Kate helped us find a house about 5 blocks away from their house, and this past Mother's Day they planted fruit trees in our soon to be back yard. Right now the house is rented; our renters will be moving out May 31st. So, those plans will unfold in time. Meanwhile, I am focused on Southside and my last months here. Yesterday you all surprised me beyond words with a wonderful party to celebrate my 15 years of ministry here. I think back to that first phone call from Indiana's regional minister--Ed Wieshiemer. "Martha, would you be willing to talk with some folks from a church in South Bend?" I had been battered by my last encounter with a church looking for a new minister, and I had already said to Sandra that finally, at long last, after 20 years of frustration, I was ready to give up. So, I answered, "No, thanks. It's too cold up there." He pushed: "Would you at least agree to a courtesy call? You can tell them no on the phone if you want to." I agreed to do that. We worked out a time. I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I was late for that phone call! I was driving back from Columbia, Missouri to our home in Fulton, Missouri, and for some reason I can't remember now, I was late. And as soon as I got in I had to let the dogs out. I remember two things about that call; one, at some point I had to go outside and call those dogs back in because they were barking their heads off (real professional), and, two, I fell in love with Southside. It's been that way ever since. I remember the interview in April of 1996. Sandra and I flew to Chicago and then took the Southshore to South Bend. Syl and Jane met us at the train station/airport. They were the only two people in the waiting room. I walked up and said, "Are you Syl?" And Syl said "No." And Jane whacked her and introduced herself and Syl to us. That Syl! I was a little worried about the cold. We went to eat lunch. Coming out of the restaurant, snow began to fall. Syl looked up, then looked at me and said, "It's not really snow." I met with the search committee. Two questions: "Will you perform same sex unions?" Yes. I'd been doing that since 1979. And, "We use inclusive language. Will you use inclusive language?" I'd been doing that since seminary days in the mid 1970's. And here was a church that actually wanted me to do both? Oh my God...this is what I had been waiting for? Who could have ever guessed that such a place existed...in South Bend? And then that Sunday morning during worship, Sandra and I were introduced as a couple and asked to stand up. That was a first--recognizing us as a couple in a church service! We loved that. I have been thankful ever since. Yesterday during worship, as I looked out and saw so many faces and remembered so many stories, I thought once again how God's ways are so wonderfully mysterious, surprising, and full of joy. I know June is coming...too soon...but meanwhile, I only want to serve this congregation that I love more than you all will ever know. Thank you for asking me to come and be your pastor. You all are the best, and I am the luckiest, most blessed pastor in the world. I mean that!