Service of Welcome and Commitment
january 2006
This article is formed from a collection of reflections (originally published in the church newsletter in March 2006) from members of the congregation regarding the "Service of Welcome and Commitment" for Rev Sarah Tinker held in January 2006... thanks to all those who contributed their thoughts to this article.
One of the verses in the opening hymn of the service was:
"We'll stretch out the open hand of love
Strengthening ourselves anew
And share common tasks with all those who ask
Burdens may then be few"
These sentiments seemed to sum up the wonderful day we had on the 28th January to welcome Sarah as our Minister, although it was slightly odd to welcome someone who is so much part of us! We did indeed stretch out the open hand of love to welcome over 90 friends and supporters whose presence did indeed strengthen ourselves anew. It was particularly good to have the Revd. Johanna Boeke, a former minister of Essex Church, and the Revd. Simon John Barlow, a great friend and visiting minister during our "interregnum", with us to facilitate the service. Simon John gave us a very stimulating and challenging address that encouraged us, among other things, to see ourselves, each member of the congregation, as ministers of Essex Church. (I suppose that makes Sarah the Prime Minister.) I was personally moved by the words of welcome and lighting of a candle by different people representing different aspects of Sarah's journey and ministry. The day seemed to go very smoothly and the burdens did seem to be few as we shared common tasks and I believe grew as a community as we worked together. The final phrase of the Ceremony of Commitment that Sarah and the congregation proclaimed together was:
"We trust the power of honest communication, creativity and kindness, to heal and hold us always."
I believe that we showed this in action on the 28th and that it was a wonderful beginning to our shared ministry.
David Francis Darling
During the Ceremony of Commitment we were asked whether the Essex Church congregation - yes, just us and no one else - would stand up and speak the words. It felt like one of those school assemblies when the first hockey team were asked to stand up and be admired, with the small difference that in those days it was staggeringly unlikely that I would ever be one of those standing. But on this occasion there was no doubt that I was one of the first team. I think the congregation really came over as a good group to belong to, obviously full of enthusiasm and mutual support. I could also comment that it was the first time in the history of the world that the words 'Talitha Cum' and 'eyeses' had been used at the same function. We are a broad church.
Caroline Blair
Our Service of Commitment and the welcoming of Sarah to our Community was joyous, heartwarming, and for me, evocative of many past memories... of Jopie who came as our Interim Minister some years ago, and of Simon John who came to restore our spirits at a time when we really needed him. It would be impossible to praise one person over another - everything that needed care and attention was done, and done well. It was Sarah's day but the words spoken by the Community at the Ceremony of Commitment truly made it ours too.
Betty Evans
Amazing flowers. The candles: large, medium and small. Lack of panic and tension. Laughter. More people to talk to than one had time to greet. A delicious tea. The choir - the amusement of their heartfelt 'god save the king, may the king live for ever...' Our minister Sarah, and the warmth with which she was welcomed, and her own grace in accepting the good wishes. Lovely that so many people attended from Sheffield. Thanks to all and for the retiring collection of £191.45 for Water Aid.
Juliet EdwardsAs the day developed I think we as a choir became more and more aware of just how special a day it was turning into. There really was a feeling of joy and happiness in the air and we all wanted to make it that much more special. Afterwards we congratulated ourselves on how well we had sung (!) but it was singing for Sarah that did it. Peter, our pianist, confided that he'd spent a long time choosing and practicing his postlude because he wanted to pay tribute to Sarah. Long may she reign, or as Handel put it, May the King live forever!
Harold Lorenzelli
Sarah's welcoming service on the 28th January was well attended. There was an excellent sermon by Simon John, who gave us all a very good dose of Jesus! Patricia's excellent organisational skills ensured that the event ran very efficiently and smoothly.
Doris Campbell
The service was a good piece of Unitarian teamwork, with various people who had helped Sarah along her journey to our Church saying a few words each. As always, it was good to see Simon John Barlow back at Essex Church. It seemed surprisingly mainstream to choose a text from the Gospels; then when he started discussing it, it suddenly wasn't mainstream at all but extremely unexpected and thought-provoking. All over London people were fighting to buy stuff they didn't really need with money they didn't really have, in crowded shops, and there we were sitting riveted by a sermon. It seemed a better use of a Saturday afternoon. Oh yes, and we learned that we are all ministers of the church; though this probably doesn't mean that we all share the minister's salary cheques. It was also good to see Jopie as I have heard her mentioned so often over the years by other members of the church.
Jim Blair
Let's face it, the church has been through a bit of a hard time over the last couple of years, one way and another, so it was great to be able to celebrate and share the good news of Sarah's ministry at the very special service on 28th January. It was particularly delightful that so many friends from other congregations were able to join us, including a good number from Sarah's original home congregation (and mine, as it happens), Fulwood Old Chapel in Sheffield (whose lovely old building dates from 1728). During the service I was pleased to light a candle for our congregation here at Essex Church, for our building (which will be 30 years old next year) and for the many user groups who share our premises and for whom it is also home. It was a very pleasant surprise to find that the service included the late Francis Simons' memorable hymn 'Glory to the Cosmic Comic'. Francis was minister to Kensington Unitarians from 1981-1993, and his hymn deserves to be better known.
Howard Hague
We sang the following hymn to the tune of "Ode to Joy":
Glory to the Cosmic Comic
Celebrate the gift of laughter, celebrate the gift of fun.
Celebrate till every rafter echoes with songs bravely sung!
Put away all gloom and sadness, let there be no ling'ring trace.
Celebrate life's joy and gladness with a smile on every face!
Cultivate the art of clowning, seek the joy in midst of pain.
Smiling's easier than frowning, seek the rainbow in the rain!
Life will have its dark and tough times, sunshine must be mixed with rain.
Yet a cheerful disposition helps us to accept the pain.
There is call for celebration, all around, yes, all around.
Humour's built into creation, into every sight and sound.
Life is full of fresh surprises, gifts of laughter, gifts of fun.
All we need are ears and eyeses to appreciate each one!
Glory to the cosmic comic, source of laughter, source of fun.
Who delights in heavenly frolics with the planets, stars and sun.
In the joyous re-creation coming with each new born day,
Let us live with quiet elation, come what may, yes, come what may!
(Adapted from words by Francis Simons)
Why is it that the things I remember are the unimportant but human aspects of it all, like Simon John rushing to relieve Gavin of the last candle, which he himself was due to light later in the celebration. And, that evening, arguing over whether the phrase "Rise, Damsel" must have sounded as "Talitha Cum" or "Talitha Cumi" in Aramaic. Wishing too that we could have listened longer to St. Mark's gospel, to Jesus requesting water from the women of Samaria, appropriate as we sat around Michaela's arrangement of a pool and water flowing from it. Not forgetting Zadok the Priest and the choir's evident delight in singing it. One tends to take Unitarian teas for granted but this one was mouth-wateringly lavish. Our own hugely imaginative, immensely significant, deeply moving and very friendly welcome to a new minister.
Stephanie Saville
Well, the big day finally arrived. We had obviously prepared well because there was no panic and nothing seemed to be missing. The church looked beautiful with Michaela's and Stephanie's flowers and with the chairs in a circle it felt very friendly and not too formal. For my part, it was a joy to welcome so many friends and visitors to Essex Church and to meet Sarah's family for the first time. No matter how many 'inductions' one attends, they are always very moving and Sarah's was no exception. We welcomed her and we committed ourselves to Sarah and she to us. To hymns by former ministers, and many words of wisdom and greeting was added laughter and even some tears welled up. I feel so grateful to be part of such a loving and caring community.
Patricia Walker-Hesson
The Sunday before the service of welcome, Sarah had requested that any keen volunteers should stay behind after the service, to work on the words we would speak together for our 'ceremony of commitment'. A bunch of us gathered round a table with our tea and biscuits, and offered words that were important for each of us, whilst Patricia noted down the key elements that we all agreed on. From this, something simple and beautiful emerged, and it felt effortless. When it came to the big day, there was a lovely flow to the way we all came together: people were moving chairs, arranging flowers, serving hot drinks, photocopying orders of service, welcoming visitors, and taking care of many other things to make the day go well. It was great to share our joy at Sarah joining us, and to celebrate our beloved community, with so many friends.
Jane Blackall
The following words were spoken in unison by Sarah and members of the Kensington congregation in our ceremony of commitment:
"It is with pleasure and love
that we commit ourselves to this shared ministry.
With caring and open hearts we pledge
to join in making our community an inclusive
and welcoming place for all people of goodwill.
We shall continue to uphold our liberal religious tradition
and to encourage the many spiritual seekers
who meet in our church building.
We trust the power of honest communication,
creativity, and kindness, to heal and hold us always."
last updated: 03 Aug 2009
