Gathering to worship and celebrate
The 2019 NC Synod Assembly participants gathered to worship despite the tornado watch and pouring rain. Lutherans trickled into First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, to the sounds of John Alexander and his trumpeting organ filling the sanctuary.
The musical offering allowed those present to reflect on the 40th anniversary of the ordination of women of color in the ELCA. In particular, we gathered to celebrate the leaders of our own synod:
The Reverend Earlean Miller (d. 2014), ordained August, 1979
The Reverend Margaret Herz-Lane, ordained June 6, 1981
The Reverend Maria Alma Copeland, ordained June 30, 1985
The Reverend Beverly Wallace, Ph.D., ordained May 30, 1999
The Reverend Brenda Bynum, ordained June 1, 2002
The Reverend Lucille “CeCee” Mills, ordained March 21, 2004
Dr. Shanitria Cuthbertson, candidate for Ministry of Word and Sacrament
As the final prelude chord echoed throughout the sanctuary, the Rev. Dr. Danny Massie welcomed us to his home church and asked us to gather passionately, but to resist the urge to nail anything to the church doors. This brought laughter from those assembled.
The Reverend CeCee Mills led us in the Thanksgiving for Baptism. After this, the sanctuary erupted in the familiar and holy rumble of passing of the peace, an image that Bishop Tim Smith would recall during his sermon.
Bishop Tim Smith told us that peace used to be passed by a kiss on the lips. Though this tradition has evolved, he proclaimed that the purpose remains the same. We should not dare to kneel at the foot of the cross and taste the body of Jesus Christ if we cannot, for at least one moment, love and be in communion with every brother and sister of Christ. No trivial nor monumental dispute should divide us when we are at worship. One body, one spirit, one blood.
The Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace led the Prayers of Intercession before Bishop Smith spoke the names of the rostered leaders from the synod who have died since last year’s synod assembly. Each name was followed by a tolling bell that rang through the room and our hearts. We remembered:
The Reverend John Christ – June 29, 2018
The Reverend Ralph J. Wallace – July 8, 2018
The Reverend R. Graham Nahouse – August 31, 2108
The Reverend Floyd W. Bost – September 5, 2018
The Reverend James Bartos – September 7, 2018
The Reverend Garold Carter – October 16, 2018
The Reverend Raymond A. Petrea – October 20, 2018
The Reverend Homer E. Fry – October 28, 2018
The Reverend Cyrus E. Frazier – November 24, 2018
The Reverend Donald Herb – December 30, 2018
The Reverend Charles Dickson – March 17, 2019
The Reverend Paul E. Christ – April 1, 2019
Offering was collected for the benefit of ELCA World Hunger while Laura Buff Alexander led the choir in the offertory hymn, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” Laura Buff Alexander and John Jahr gave their musical gifts to God throughout the service. The Litany for the 40th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women of Color was led by Bishop Smith and the Rev. Ruben Duran.
Keeping in mind the Bishop’s call to unity and our Lord’s invitation to the meal, we communed. The Rev. Margaret Herz-Lane presided over the meal assisted by the Rev. Dr. Beverly Wallace and the Rev. Lucille “CeCee” Mills.
After communion, we prayed and were blessed. A joyful rendition of “Hallelujah! We Sing Your Praises” was sung by the people as the service concluded before John Alexander once again filled the halls with a grand postlude.
Watch the video of assembly worship.
Story: Sage Rufsvold is a graduate student in the Communication Studies program at UNC Greensboro.
Photograph: Ray Sipe–pastor, chaplain, and techno-geek.
