Coming Home, Again...Installation Reflections.

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"The Laying On of Hands" - my favorite part of the service!
In 1998, I took a position as the middle school youth director in an über suburban town called Wayne and served a Presbyterian Church with a name that was the same. I had good memories of that time in my life. Youth mission trips. My wedding. Figuring out the call to attend seminary. Reluctantly saying yes to attending Princeton Sem (of all places).

It is almost ten years ago from the day I left this place. And now I'm back. But in a different way. New pastors. Many of the same families. Same old love and support that I remember so well. If my life were a movie, my youth minstry days would have been a forshadowing of this moment. The Lord took me around the world and back to be able to serve the place that nurtured me as a young adult and as a new Presbyterian.

So today is kind of awesome. I get to renew my vows as a teaching elder. I get to say yes, again, to serve in new and exciting ways. I get to share this day with so many hearts and minds. I get to enjoy this day of worship with folks from the city to the suburbs. And the diversity of our voices will mix together as one, affirming God's activity, and celebrating the good gifts we have been given in Christ Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. (yea, I keeps it trinitarian...)

I know we are in a season of Lent, but this is an Alleluia kind of moment and an Alleluia kind of day.
And all God's people said...Amen.

~A.

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