Girl On A Mission 2: June 2007

Well, the time has arrived for me to leave Germany. Yes, it is sad. I have made good friends here in Germany. I have worked for two wonderful parishes. I have grown in countless ways. It will be sad to leave my new found home. It has become my home. It is hard to think of my life back in the States...of the person I used to be. Will I change back into that person? Will I continue to grow as I leave Germany? There are many unanswered questions in my future, but I know two things will hold true. I love God and I wish to serve Him. Thank you to everyone who has made this year possible. Thank you to Father Allan and Mother Martha for their great mentorship. Thank you Cynthia, Manfred, Richard, Leslie, Lesly, Andreas, Jaki, Jorge, Cyra, Fiona, Gretchen and Mary Lynn who have made this year so enjoyable. Thank you to the wonderful youth and children that I had the blessing to work with this past year. I will bring the many gifts that you have given me back to the States and cherish them. And thank you to my many supporters in the States who without your support none of this would have been possible. Thank you. I look forward to seeing you all soon. I hope to continue posting on Girl on a Mission. My posts will not be about my adventures in Germany, but my adventures in life. Keep checking back to see what I am up to as God unfolds my future. God's Peace, Alexandra Martin

Everliving God, whose will it is that all should come to you through your Son Jesus Christ: Inspire our witnesses to him, that all may know the power of his forgiveness of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

God is Love. God is Joy. God is Peace. So, does that mean that God is Happiness? After all, Love + Joy + Peace = Happiness, right? Hmm…I wonder what else God is? God is Patient. Oh, is He ever Patient! God is Generous. God is gentle. Hmm…Jesus does not seem so gentle in the Gospel today. No, He seems in a hurry or a little bit cranky. What is all that about? Cranky does not = Happiness does it?

I wonder why the people who put the lectionary together placed the Fruits of the Spirit with the Cranky Jesus reading. Hmm….

In one instance Paul is telling us about the wonderful Fruits of the Spirit. The things we draw from God that God wants us to draw from Him. Then in the other instance, Jesus is saying, “Come Follow Me, but don’t worry about burying your dead father or saying goodbye to your loved ones. No! Come Follow me NOW!” Sounds kind of harsh. The first man cannot even bury his own father? The other man cannot hug his mother goodbye? What? Isn’t God supposed to be gentle and loving? Aren’t we supposed to receive happiness through Following Christ?

If I was you, which I am not, but if I was…I would feel heartbroken by so many people leaving Christ the King this year. Yes, I would. I mean the Sr. youth group leaders, the youth missioner, the curate, even the Rector and his family are leaving Christ the King. That is not to mention all of the other wonderful parishioners that are parting ways this year. Saying goodbye does not give you happiness. No, it brings sadness and upset to the day. What is the meaning of this, God? We are here trying to Follow You and you are ripping people away from each other. You did it in the Gospel reading and you are doing it here at Christ the King.

There is a story about a Master and his Disciples.

The Master was a loving, thoughtful, wise and generous man. He treated everyone with kindness and respect. He worked hard and blessed those who surrounded him. The Master was loved by his Disciples who refused to even consider a time when the Master would leave them for if that were to happen it certainly would be a thorn far too painful to bear.

But as time does, it moved on, the seasons changed, the years went by.

As the Master grew old and infirm, the disciples begged him not to die. The Master said, "If I did not go, how would you ever see?"

"What is it we fail to see when you are with us?" they asked.

But the Master would not say.

When the moment of his death was near, they said, "What is it we will see when you are gone?"

With a twinkle in his eye, the Master said, "All I did was sit on the riverbank handing out river water. After I'm gone, I trust you will notice the river."

Yes, nothing stays the same. Change however painful is healthy. It brings new light to the old and familiar. Change brings growth and with it a deeper understanding of purpose. It allows for new individuals with fresher ideas to fill in the holes that the transitioning individuals are leaving behind. It allows for congregations to refocus their eyes on Jesus versus the person who is standing at the altar in His Name. This is the time where we can listen more closely to Christ calling to us.

Today in the Gospel, Jesus is saying to all of us, “Come Follow Me. Time is a wasting. Do not look back into the past to only wade in the waters of the river, but keep paddling into the new.” We are only promised today. Jesus wants you to do the best with the time you are given. He is not being harsh. He is encouraging you to see the river. To see what really matters in life.

Today we will participate in the baptism of Ana and Emilie. These precious babies are just beginning their lives. Their parents are dedicating the girls to Christ as we dedicate ourselves to do everything in our power to support these children as they are growing up. In essence, we are going down to the river today to swim in its waters. Not only dedicate these children, but also to rededicate ourselves to Jesus. We more seasoned swimmers, know the waters of life can be choppy or that the tide may turn at any moment, but these girls have no idea what is in store for them. They do not know how comforting it can be to rely on Jesus in the choppiest of times or how wonderful it is to rejoice with him when the waters are crystal clear while still radiating in the sun’s light. Who knows what God has in mind for Ana and Emilie as they grow up? They may become mothers or doctors or teachers or the President of Germany. No matter what they become they should always have the choice to Follow Christ.

A little further in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is having a conversation with a lawyer. The lawyer asks Jesus, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said, “What is written in the law. How do you understand it?” The lawyer replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” “Right!” Jesus said, “Do this and you will live!”

You see, you do not have to be a priest or stand at the altar to follow Christ. You can be a trash collector or a CEO of a company. We are all the same in Christ’s eyes. I challenge you to look into your own lives to see how you can enhance your love of God using all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind. Then, I challenge you to use that love more effectively to serve those who surround you. Who can you be more loving towards? Who have you not been patient with in the past? How can you be more generous? More faithful? Is there someone you can share Christ’s joy or peace with? We all have a calling. We all have a purpose. How will you choose to Follow Christ today?

This is my last Sunday serving as your Missioner to Children and Youth. Both of the parishes I have served, St. Augustine’s and Christ the King have shared many blessings with me over the past year. I find it fitting that I share my last Sunday in Germany with CtK, as I shared my very first Sunday in Germany with you all back in September. I remember how Father Allan pulled me out of my pew on that first Sunday to walk up the aisle with him at the end of the service. He wanted everyone to have a chance to greet me and for me to introduce myself to my new church family. I felt so welcomed on that first Sunday. I knew I was in good hands. And I was. We have shared many experiences over the past year. Vacation Bible School, the Parish Retreat, the youth trip to Munich, Theology on Tap lunches, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Wired for Worship, I could go on and on. It has been an incredible year for me. I have grown immensely and I will always have CtK and St. A’s to thank for being a part of my transformation. I especially want to thank those who took me under their wings from the moment I arrived: Father Allan, Mary Lynn Werner Minges, Fiona Prentice, Cyra Borsy, and Jaki and Jorge Norrohna-Hostler. And to Helga and Carlo Schmieg for allowing me to live with them. Thank you to everyone else who has made this year special, especially the youth and children who have given me so many smiles and hugs this past year. May God bless all of you as we continue to Follow Christ together as one holy catholic and apostolic Church.