Next Saturday (24 June) will be my 11 year consecration anniversary. I was elected in Asheville (NC) at our second synod gathering, to succeed +Catherine Adams, and consecrated by her and +Anthony Hash & +Tom Clary later that year. At the time we had a community in DC, a community in Asheville, and a mission in San Francisco, and at the time, while we were hopeful for the future, we had no idea what to expect.

Between then and now, we’ve had communities come and go, and I’ve ordained two priests, both of whom have moved on to other synods. Building community is not easy under the best of circumstances – building a community where everyone has to get his/her hands dirty, and not give up along the furrow, is well. . . . a “challenge”.

This year is the first time we’ve formally celebrated my consecration anniversary. I think that after 10 years it’s ok to celebrate (grin). I wish I could say that in 11 years we’ve grown by leaps & bounds. It has been an uphill battle, trying to remain faithful to what we believe, and to our tradition, while at the same time being open to new avenues and new perspectives. While our “net growth” has not been huge – as with all communities we’ve had people come and go. We have made enormous strides, especially during the past three years towards strengthening our sense of self identity as a community. This is something my entire community can be proud of – it will serve us well as we continue to develop in the coming months and years.

Eleven years ago I was in utter dread when I heard my name read out after the ballots had been counted. In an instant all eyes were on me. I along with a few members of our community in DC – my local parish at the time – spent something like 6 months prior to the Synod scouring canon law, custom, tradition, looking for anything that would disqualify me. Everytyhing we found had a caveat, something of a get out clause, a fudge. There was nothing to solidly point one’s finger at and say – here, not I, for I am clearly un-qualified.

Well, I was clearly unqualified, I was too young, I had not been ordained long enough (in my opinion at least) to even be considered, and frankly. . . . I did not want it!

In hind sight I wonder if anyone can ever be ready. You never know what is around the corner. You cannot possibly “know” if a candidate is the right choice – but this is why the community must choose, because the spirit speaks through them. To this day I often wonder both to myself and with others in my community, if I am serving them well, I have on more than one occasion wondered if it was not time for me to step aside to make way for another. Sometimes I think it would be nice to just be a member of the community, and not have all eyes on me, to be able to sit on the sidelines. That day will come, and I hope that I’m able to see when that is before I outlive my usefulness, but I have a feeling that there’s alot more to do before that day arrives.

+A