All Are Welcome … In This Place: A Reflection On My Ordination

On the evening of September 11, 2008 a good number of family, professional colleagues, and friends from St. Mark’s and around the Diocese gathered to celebrate my ordination to the Diaconate.  I was honored by the presence of so many of you and felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with us not only as we sang the opening hymn “All Are Welcome” but throughout the rest of the service and the reception that followed. I was humbled by the words spoken by my son The Rev. Rich Nelson in his sermon that evening. Rich stated:

“You see one of the fundamental problems with the Church is that it is full of people like you and me who come into buildings such as these hoping to find Christ here so he can heal our blindness. And find him here we may. But if we walk out of those doors without eyes to see Christ out there too, then we're just as blind as we ever were. Jesus never promised to show up in fancy buildings with people in fancy clothes. But he did promise to show up among the poor, the oppressed, the lonely and forgotten. Who will turn our eyes to this Christ in our midst? Deacons and lay people with a heart for Christ.” 

It seemed no mere coincidence to several of us that at the reception following the service a homeless woman, Stephanie, wandered in to the parish hall to join us for food and fellowship.  Jesus showed up – as one of the least of these – that evening.  I’m so pleased to say that several of you, who are as Rich pointed out, “lay people with a heart for Christ” reached out to her that evening. 

Many thanks for your generous offering that evening that amounted to $485.00, which has been donated in full to Episcopal Relief and Development’s Hurricane Relief Fund.  I’m truly pleased to be your Deacon and I look forward to serving alongside you for hopefully many years to come.

Also, many thanks for the thoughtful gifts, cards, e-mails, warm wishes, your presence that evening, and most especially for your willingness to serve our Lord. 

May God Richly Bless You All,
The Rev. Carol E. Peterson +