“For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12
A year into our family’s move from Chicago to Rochester, I am still discovering little differences in culture (yes, I’ve had a garbage plate from Nick Tahoe’s, and yes, I am a Bills fan!). One difference I find particularly delightful – you are a clapping people! I was surprised to discover that after a yoga class, which ends with five minutes of lying on the floor in silence, and slowly the lights and movement return until we put our hands together, bowing and whispering “namaste,” there is clapping!!! I was accustomed to a quiet exit. People clap at the movies here, as I did in childhood, but not in the big city. Perhaps it is Rochester’s classical music culture that encourages clapping, or the remnants of stoic New England white culture, which rarely demonstrated enthusiasm but tolerated polite clapping. Whatever the reason, I like it! It reminds me of my plane rides to and within Argentina; every time we landed, the passengers burst out clapping. Maybe it was an expression of “thank God I’m alive,” but it felt more like a recognition of the skill of the pilot and the excitement of being in a new place. Why be jaded when living in the moment can mean bursts of appreciation and excitement for the little and big things in life?
“They will know we are Christians by our love,” goes the familiar song. As I have traveled to every congregation in the diocese, I have heard and witnessed that you love each other, care for each other, and extend that love to others. I wonder if they will know we are Christians by our joy as well? And then there is clapping in church, which is not stereotypical in Episcopal Churches. Even the habits of being quiet during preludes and postludes vary among parishes in our diocese. Clapping has broken out during the singing of a gospel hymn (on the 2nd and 4th beats, please!) I attended a Methodist Church recently when clapping broke out after the sermon.
So I want you to give yourselves a round of applause!! We have been together just over a year. I’ve knocked on 41 of 43 doors (and you opened them!) I installed Jim Trimble as Rector of St. John’s, Honeoye Falls; Dave Hanselman as Rector of St. John’s, Catharine and St. James, Watkins Glen; Kevin Gore at Christ Church, Pittsford; and Columba Salamony at Trinity Place, Geneva. We’ve celebrated, with tears and gratitude, several retirements. We’ve ordained five leaders as deacons and priests. I led my first Convention and we’ve been living into a new structure of Convocations. You have welcomed me, shown up for visitations and meetings, filled out surveys and reports (thank you!), and logged onto our new website (If you haven’t, do!). Most importantly, you have shared your wisdom, experience, and advice. Standing Ovation!!
+Kara
