As I head into my 5th week as Rector at St. Simon’s on the Sound, I am finally coming up for air a bit. At least I can now spend a few minutes on m
y blog.
<== The view from my parking space!
Starting at a new church is always an adventure. It’s like a roller coaster – lots of thrills, exhilarating and terrifying, with the unknown lurking on the other side of each hill, yet there is rarely anything to fear – just more fun, more life, more joy.
This is my 4th time to start at a new church in 4 years. I am conscious of how different it is coming in as Rector vs. Interim Rector, while at the same time using some of the experience I have had as an Interim to “hit the ground running”. At the same time I try my best to be cognizant there IS time, time to lay a foundation, time to grow into the rhythms of a new place.
But in some ways, we need a sense of urgency, don’t we? The church in America is in decline, we all can read the statistics and, if we so desire, wring our hands and wonder what happened to the good ole days, when Christendom ruled the land and everyone was in a church on Sunday mornings (and where I am from, Wednesday nights). The challenge we face as leaders is deciding – will we program our way out of this? Will we preach our way out of this? Or will we pray our way out of this? And if prayer is the answer, and I think it is, will we be open to how God responds to those prayers? What can we let go of? What do we need to cling to? How do we reach a new generation who, more and more often, do not have the church connection many of us did from growing up in the church? And in doing so, how do we honor those who have kept the faith and kept the church alive and vibrant, honoring our traditions while being open to the future?
It will take time. And we are running out of time. No clergy person can do this work alone. Thanks be to God, I find myself in the midst of a community of people who love God, love their church, and really want to see St. Simon’s be all God has called us to be.
The roller coaster, for the most part, will be a blast! I am blessed to be along for the ride. Come along!
(For those of you who know me, you know that my father, Dr. Harold “Jug” Knight, died on July 13th – about 10 days before I was due to start at St. Simon’s. I am in the midst of writing about my dad and our loss of him, but it’s not ready for public viewing just yet. Stay tuned. The writing itself has helped me deal with the loss, the grief, and the relief of my father’s death. And it also has reminded me how blessed I am to be part of my family. I am surrounded by heroes and also a “great cloud of witnesses”. More to come.)
After I sell my house I will be driving to Charlotte by way of your congregation some Sunday AM just to surprise you and Clelia!!
I know it must seem like deja vue with Hermine heading to Panhandle. You are in my prayers!
It’s so good to hear from you and I’m very glad to that you are settling in at St. Simons. They are probably just beginning to realize how very fortunate they are. Looking forward to future posts and especially what you are writing about your father.
We love having you at St Simon’s, Fr David.
You are a blessing to us!
Love hearing your “voice” again. We miss you but we are sending you love and energy as you engage with your new parish. We know you will guide them spiritually on their journey and bring new folks to Christ. Yay Jesus!!
HI Father David,
My thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your father. And also in your journey with St. Simon. They are fortunate to have you and I know it will be a blessing to all. Yea Jesus!
Father David,
We just returned from NC and VA visiting with our much-loved family, especially Granddaughter Lucian. She is almost 3 and loves her grandma and grandpa. What a blessing she has been for all of us. You and Jennifer share a deep love of family just as we do.
I often think of you and especially today when I heard you might be in the path of another storm. Keep us updated.
St. Paul’s is getting all set for school. I will again be working at Paul’s Place. Please keep our Haitian children in your prayers. We want so much for them; but life is tough. All we can do is pray and do a small bit of mentoring and loving.
Stay in touch and know you are missed.
Joyce Harvey
Hi Father! So happy to see your email and very sorry to hear about your dad, although I’m sure he’s looking down on you, saying –Ho! David thinks he had a great father, well, son, it works both ways. They know up here that you’re working hard, hard, hard to spread Christian love and help the church to grow.
Best, Dorsey
Hi Father! So happy to see your email and very sorry to hear about your dad, although I’m sure he’s looking down on you, saying –Ho! David thinks he had a great father, well, son, it works both ways. They know up here that you’re working hard, hard, hard to spread Christian love and help the church to grow.
Father, I took a break for months to get settled in NJ but now the writing is flowing and gushing out of me. As I once told you about yourself, your gift is not to be denied. Remember, Father, you are a writer, and writers write! Thus endeth the first lesson. Best, Dorsey
“Hey Father David”!
Beautifully written. It was so good seeing Jennifer and catching up last week. The only thing that would have made it perfect would have been to see you too!
You are missed yet we are happy for your new journey at St. Simons. Keeping you in thought and prayer.
With love
Patti D