Commissioning

Church of the Pilgrims - Sunday, July 22, 2007

Ashley: When we listen to God, things happen. When we listen, we can live our lives with more purpose, intention, and clarity. Gregg Seppala has been listening to the Holy and he was able to recognize a little “nudge” from the holy in how he wants the next phase of this life to be shaped. Next Sunday, Gregg will leave for Ghost Ranch, one of PC(USA)’s retreat centers located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For a week, Gregg will attend a conference on peacemaking led by organizations working in and around the PC(USA) for peace, justice and environmental sustainability. Gregg will participate in one track of the peacemaking conference.

This morning, we are honored to commission Gregg to this peacemaking conference--- witnessing that Gregg leaves for Ghost Ranch not on his own, but held within the care and support of this congregation. We commission him because we believe in him and his call to a life long commitment of peacemaking.

As always, there is a story behind this moment of clarity and commitment. Gregg will share part of his story.

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Gregg: This journey began, appropriately enough, at one of the sabbatical dinners. I attended the dinner Stan Lou hosted at his house in April. That was when I first met Jacob and Angela. As the people at the dinner were sharing their stories, Angela told us about how they found Pilgrims. She told of how they did a web search and then evaluated churches against a checklist of things they believed were important. What caught my attention that night was Angela saying that Pilgrims came out very good except for one big ticket item – commitment to peacemaking.

I thought about that comment for several days. I know that Pilgrims is committed to social justice and peacemaking so what was missing? I think it might be labeled “intentionality.” I saw a parallel in my own life. As I told Ashley the next week, one of my bedrock personal values is and has been pacifism and a commitment to non-violent action. These beliefs have guided my daily and career decisions but I have seldom shared them with others.

The other thread to this narrative of beginning is an end. Five months ago today my wife Carol died. I was her primary care giver for the last six years of her life so after she died not only had I had lost my soul mate but I also had a lot of time on my hands. After the sabbatical dinner I suggested to Ashley that maybe after I got my feet back under me I should look into involving myself more actively in peacemaking issues at the church. A word of advice -- don’t suggest something to Ashley unless you mean it! A few weeks later she sent me a web link to the “Week for Peace, Global Justice and Creation” conference being offered at the Ghost Ranch conference center at the end of July.

I had been thinking of something a little less specific and a little farther in the future but Ashley encouraged (not to say prodded) me to think about it. She also said that just being at Ghost Ranch is a very healing experience. Two days later I filled out an application and mailed a check to Ghost Ranch to attend:

Speaking Truth to the Powerful and Not So Powerful

The session leader is Carol Wickersham, PC (USA) pastor, a coordinator of the No2Torture movement advocating humane treatment of detainees.

The session is described as “an opportunity to learn how to talk about tough and controversial issues with neighbors, family, in our churches and to halls of power. The new and growing faith-based movement against torture has developed skills, both practical and spiritual, for building solidarity across theological and political fault lines. Insights will be drawn from history, law and social movement theory, scripture, prayer, theology and ethics for the skills, insight and strategies necessary for work on issues of torture and violence.”

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Ashley: The grace bestowed on all of us in baptism is sufficient for our calling as disciples because it is God’s grace. By God’s grace we are healed and enabled to grow in the faith and to commit our lives in ways that serve Christ and live in God’s Holy Way. Gregg’s call and this congregation’s support should be embraced as an expression and continuation of the call to be Christ’s disciples.

Gregg, who is your Lord and Savior?

Jesus Christ

Do you welcome the responsibility of participating in this Peacemaking Conference because you are determined to follow the Lord Jesus, to love neighbors, and to work for justice and freedom in this world? Do you?

I do.

During this Peacemaking conference, do you welcome the responsibility of stepping outside your comfort zone, living and learning in new and challenging ways? Will you?

I will.

Ghost Ranch has been called a thin place between heaven and earth; a place where the mystery and connection to God is palpable. Will you, Gregg, promise to let God’s creation minister to you, will you allow yourself to rest and retreat in this sacred land?

Will you?

I will.

During this peacemaking conference, do you promise to be open to God’s peaceful spirit, letting yourself be re-created by the Spirit so you can witness a new you unfold as you embrace this next step in your life as a disciple of Jesus Christ? Do you?

I do.

The minister addresses all present:

To this congregation, who is your Lord and Savior?

Jesus Christ.

Do you, members of this community of faith, confirm God’s call for Gregg to undertake this Peacemaking Conference in the service of Jesus Christ? Do you?

We do.

Will you, members of this community of faith, welcome Gregg back from Ghost Ranch, listen to his stories and let his peacemaking experience be a means for us to clarify who we are and our call to consistently seek God in new and challenging ways? Will you?

We will.

Gather for laying on of hands

Commissioning Prayer

Faithful God, in baptism you claimed us; and by your Holy Spirit you are working in our lives, empowering us to live a life worthy of our calling.

We call on your holy spirit as we commission Gregg to this peacemaking conference, a time for Gregg to ponder upon wider truths and alternative visions of living in your Way-- truths of both heart and mind that find their roots in the mystery and practicality of God. Basic truths illuminating our often uncertain and unfolding journeys---allowing us to reconnect with these the energies of Christ:

That Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

That life does come from death;

That we can be re-born as a disciple of Christ;

That hate is not the final word;

That the broken continue to sing with joy;

That in our weakness we live with God’s strength;

That forgiveness resides in the heart of the human condition;

That love, with its peaceful, beloved face, remains our companion.

So Christ lives again.

Risen again in times of commitment and acts of courage, present in the great cloud of witnesses

that lives and rests in our journey together.

Call us forth Holy One to

continue to be a people of hope who walk in the light, consumed by the Spirit, seeking justice in

this world by living in God’s most incredible, holy way.

Thanks be to Gregg and thanks be to God. Amen.

Together, surrounded in God’s presence, we have created this energy of Christ. Let us share this energy and spirit by sharing the peace with one another.