Theological Truth: Our work is to reflect the light of God’s love until it comes finally and fully.
We have special guests with us here today. We welcome David and Alene Pittman and their family back to Staunton—back to Trinity where it all began.
It definitely “all” began here for Alene—a Stauntonian born and raised. Baptized in her Staunton home by Trinity’s rector, Carroll Brooke. Married to David right here in Trinity Church by the Rev. Guthrie Brown. David didn’t grow up in Staunton, but Trinity’s fingerprints are all over his life. Two of the teachers from Staunton Military Academy who influenced his decision to become a priest were from Trinity. Perhaps you’ve heard of them—the Rev. Walter McCracken and Dennis Case?
David and Alene are with us today because it is the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood—an ordination that took place right here at Trinity. Thank you for coming back to celebrate this wonderful occasion. Your presence honors us. And it also provides us with an excellent Advent opportunity to reflect on what it means to wait for the coming of Christ’s kingdom… and to remember that a faithful posture of waiting entails taking our place and providing our testimony to God’s ongoing story of salvation.
Today’s gospel shows how John the Baptist gives his witness to the coming of Christ. “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.” (John 1:6-8) John had a specific part to play in God’s saving work, and he played it while remaining humble and grounded in the difference between his calling and his identity. He himself was not the light. His purpose was to testify to the light. He was very clear about his role.
I love the way John’s answers get shorter and shorter as they demand to know who he is. “Are you the Messiah? I am not the Messiah. Are you Elijah? I am not. Are you the prophet? No.” He confessed and did not hide it, nor did he feel the need to elaborate, because John knew it wasn’t about him. He was very clear about his calling: “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord.’” John’s vocation wasn’t to be the messiah, but to testify to the messiah.
Now it may be tempting to think that such important callings are reserved only in rare instances and for odd people like John the Baptist. But that is not the case at all. I am convinced more than ever that each of us has a role to play in God’s ongoing plan of salvation. And when we’re available and open to it and humble enough to accept that our role isn’t to be the messiah, but to testify with our lives to the messiah, we too make straight and clear the way of the Lord, the coming of Christ. God continues to call those with ears to hear. An example…
Just before graduating from seminary, David and Alene were visiting family in Staunton. It was “suggested” that David interview with Guthrie Brown for Trinity’s curate position. David tells me that he really had no intention of coming to Staunton or working at Trinity, but going on the interview was the courteous and respectful thing to do, so he set up an appointment. The night before this perfunctory interview, David had a vivid dream of his first office as a priest. It was a blue room with a large tree filling the room. An odd and specific and uncharacteristically memorable dream.
Well, the next morning David went to the rectory (where the church offices were at the time) and had his interview with Guthrie Brown. Their conversation went very well, but nothing had changed in David’s mind about coming to Trinity. As he was leaving, however, Guthrie asked him if he’d like to see the office that would be his…you know, if he were to come to Trinity. David’s mind and life changed when Guthrie opened the door. Inside, he saw the blue office and enormous avocado tree from his dream. He immediately went home and told a surprised Alene that they would be coming to Trinity. That was 50 years ago. That’s why he was ordained here in December 1973. God’s plan of salvation is continually at work and we each have a role to play.
A year or so later Guthrie Brown left and as Trinity prepared to call a new rector, David and Alene began plans to find another position (as is the custom when a new rector arrives). But when the search process came up empty, they looked around at one another and asked, “Why can’t David be our rector? We know him; we like him. And he’s been doing a great job.” Once again, David (and Alene) accepted this call. They testified here with their lives and ministry for the next 13 years. Having both of their children while here, living in the rectory, preaching the gospel, and taking their part in telling the story of God’s redeeming love in this time and place. But of course, it didn’t end here. They’ve continued their witness ever since.
Fifty years a priest! And 50 years a priest’s spouse. And Sara and Dave, all your days as clergy children! God bless you! You have spent your lives testifying about the Light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. You have pointed toward the love that comes into the world, that hatred cannot extinguish. And by your presence here today, you remind us that we too have our roles to play in witnessing to the presence of God’s light and love in the world. We too have a part in God’s ongoing plan of salvation. We too have a calling, a vocation, a place in this kingdom of priests to serve our God. In that sense, nothing has changed.
But you also remind us that some things have changed. When David and I were talking about plans for this weekend and he consented to celebrate the Eucharist today, I marveled at the holy opportunity for him to come full circle and consecrate the bread and wine in the same spot where it started, to stand behind the same altar he stood behind 50 years ago. But David surprised me by saying, “I’ve never stood behind that altar.” It took me a second to realize what he meant. Fifty years ago, the altar would have been against the wall. He’s never stood behind this altar, but he will in a few minutes!
Some things have changed. Altars pulled out. Green books and zebra books finally replaced by the 1979 Prayer Book. Women ordained. Full inclusion of our LGBTQ brothers and sisters in the life and ministries of the Church. Vestments and candles and sung masses. Yes, some things have changed, and we shouldn’t be surprised, because we know that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.
Some things have changed, while others remain constant. God’s loving purpose for Creation has not wavered. Neither has the need for us, as a congregation and as individuals, to testify with our lives to the goodness and mercy of God. David and Alene, your presence here today reminds us that we all have a role to play and that we have come closer to that kingdom in many ways. Thank you for the chance to stand with you around this altar—which is simultaneously both the same and different. We join with you in giving praise and thanks for this mutual ministry, and we give thanks to God for your collective callings and faithful service.
— Fr. AJ Heine, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church of Staunton
Third Sunday of Advent, December 17, 2023
Readings: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28
