Century of Service
FROM THE RECTOR
After decades of service, which, when added together, total nearly a century, six of our ushers are retiring. Dale Green, Reed Greenwood, Gary Karnes, James Stobaugh, Loyd Swope, and Jim Wood are stepping down as 11:00 ushers, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.
The ministry of our ushers is a gift to all of us. When we come to St. Paul’s for the first time, they greet us and help us feel welcome. Their presence at the door and availability throughout the service offers the assurance that if something goes wrong—a medical emergency or another disruption—we all know who will step in and help out. Their consistency allows them to notice how parishioners are doing and pass along any pastoral needs they see or hear about to the clergy. Their continuity of service helps us maintain a connection with the past, helping us grow and change without forgetting where we have been.
Ushers rarely get any credit for what they do on behalf of the church, and I have never known an usher to want any. They do not read or sing or preach, yet, in a way, all we do in church begins with them. No one needs to ask them to help out or tell them what to do, yet they ensure that the whole service goes smoothly. Among the staff, we joke about “other duties as assigned” when we are dealing with a problem that in no way resembles our job description, but almost every Sunday an usher will tackle two or three things that fall into that broadest of categories.
Although it falls short in several ways, one image I use to describe the ministry of an usher is that of a server in a fine restaurant. Always available but never hovering, deeply knowledgeable without dominating, graceful but not distracting, helpful and confident but not assertive or controlling, ushers help us get the most out of worship without becoming the star of the show. Their ministry is particular and peculiar, and it requires special gifts. These six ushers have given generously and expertly of their time, effort, and love, and I will miss seeing them standing at the door.
Think of all the Sundays that have come and gone over the last twenty-five years. Think of how many times you have been greeted by our ushers. Think of how many people have been welcomed to our parish by these faithful men. The next time you see them, share a funny story about a time in church when something went wrong and an usher helped sort it out. Ask them to tell you a story about one of the late ushers with whom they served but who is no longer living. And thank them for all that they have given to our church.
As we come back from the pandemic, many of us are discovering that the things we did before the world shut down have lost some of their appeal, but we are also finding that God is calling us to pick up new things and serve in new ways. With the retirement of these ushers, we need new people who have gifts for this ministry and who are willing to serve in this way. If you feel called to be an usher, send me an email and let me know. In the coming weeks, we will have a training for new and returning ushers. Those who pick up this ministry will carry forward the legacy of those who have carried it before them, and we build upon their service with gratitude.
Yours Faithfully,
Evan