Comfort and Affliction
Page 27
“I have supreme confidence in you, Cathy.”
Eric stepped to the main pulpit. “Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ!”
A resounding chorus of Good mornings came from the full sanctuary.
“Most of you already know how big a milestone today represents in the life of Ebenezer at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.” Eric pointed to the black woman, dressed in the vestments of the ministry, seated behind the Gospel pulpit. “The Reverend Beatrice Parker has joined us as our associate pastor. Reverend Parker, please stand so the congregation can get a good look at you.”
Reverend Parker, who appeared to be about age forty, stood behind the pulpit. “Reverend Jameson, and brothers and sisters, Praise God Almighty!”
Praise Gods and Amens rang out in response. Reverend Parker waited for the congregation to be silent. “When I learned of the pastoral vacancy here due to the death of Reverend Stockman, I informed Bishop Lyon I wished to be considered for the position. I know the mighty works you have begun here. Indeed, this Community of Believers points the way to our future. I also realize triumphs and tragedies lie ahead of us, because such is the condition of our earthly lives. Yet always we go forward, trusting in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
More expressions of exultation came from the congregation. Reverend Parker smiled in acknowledgement. “I am honored and privileged to join with you in our mutual joys and sorrows as we journey through our lives together.” She turned to Eric. “We Methodist ministers always open our annual conferences with an old hymn of triumph, praise, and thanksgiving, And Are We Yet Alive. We should now testify to our own affirmation of faith for this Community of Believers.” She looked to John Carlyle behind her in the choir.
Carlyle motioned for the choir to stand. “Please rise, if you are willing and able, for our opening hymn on this glorious morning, number 553 in your hymnals. Also, please sing lustily and with good courage like the founder of our denomination instructed us.” The organist and pianist played a rousing introduction and the sound of voices from the congregants complied with John Wesley’s mandate:
“And are we yet alive, and see each other’s face?
Glory and thanks to Jesus give for his almighty grace.
Preserved by power divine to full salvation here, again in Jesus’ praise we join, and in his sight appear.
What troubles have we seen, what mighty conflicts past, fightings without, and fears within, since we assembled last! Yet out of all the Lord hath brought us by his love; and still he doth his help afford, and hides our life above.
Then let us make our boast of his redeeming power, which saves us to the uttermost, till we can sin no more.
Let us take up the cross till we the crown obtain, and gladly reckon all things loss so we may Jesus gain.”
When the congregants were seated, Reverend Parker concluded, “It is fitting, right, and proper for us always to remember what we just sang in wonder, praise, and thanksgiving. Thanks be to God Almighty!” She took her seat amid more joyful outbursts from the congregation.
Eric thought to himself that the charismatic Reverend Parker would be a worthy replacement for Big Al. According to the district superintendent, she had been serving as an assistant minister in a large, predominantly black church in an Atlanta suburb. She had the reputation of preaching what the district superintendent termed holy fire-driven sermons. Eric relished the opportunity to work with her. He stood to continue the service and turned toward the choir. “Will Mr. Douglas Parker please stand?”
A tall, slender black man with prematurely graying hair stood ramrod straight in the choir. I wonder, Eric asked himself, if Parker was in the military? “Douglas, a lawyer, will join my wife’s legal practice. He’s an expert in tax law, and his expertise will expand what the firm can offer to those who need legal help. Glad to have you with us, Douglas.” Parker took his seat.
“Thanks to the Parsonage Committee and other members of our church who prepared the home for the Parkers’ arrival,” Eric said. “Thanks also for the individuals who helped the Parkers with the nitty-gritty of the move. I understand some angels stocked the parsonage refrigerator with several ready-to-heat meals.” Eric turned to Reverend Parker. “The ladies—and the men—of this church play second fiddle to no one in the preparation of wonderful food, as befits United Methodists.” The comment elicited several sounds of agreement.
“Reverend Parker agrees to the format of the worship services Reverend Stockman and I instituted when Ebenezer first began to worship at Aldersgate some months ago. She and I will share the ministerial duties next Sunday.” Eric took his seat.
The service progressed to the reading of the Scripture lesson serving as the introduction to Eric’s sermon. Cathy rose from her seat beside Joseph and made her way to the center of the chancel.
Cathy spoke without notes or a Bible. With her first words, Eric thought the FM microphone near her throat might be superfluous. “Hear now a lesson from the Twenty-first Chapter of the Book of Revelation:
‘Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’
And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.’”
Cathy’s dynamic recitation of the familiar Scripture enthralled her audience. She employed hand and arm movements at strategic points, and swept her eyes across the congregants. She intoned, “The Word of God for the people of God.”
“Thanks be to God,” came the formal response.
Cathy turned toward Eric. “May I have a moment of personal privilege?”
“You may.”
Cathy continued speaking to the congregation in a firm voice. “Many of you, especially the people from Ebenezer, are familiar with much of my family history.” She turned toward Reverend Parker. “My biological parents were killed in an automobile accident when I was less than a year old. I suffered no physical damage in the wreck.”
A voice rang out from the sanctuary, “Thanks be to God!” A round of applause followed.
Cathy, despite her young age, seemed as little perturbed at the interruption as if she were an experienced public speaker. “My maternal grandparents raised me in Ebenezer United and in this civil community as if I were their daughter. I will be eternally grateful to them. The Scripture lesson today speaks of making all things new. You know I have been living with the Jameson family since my grandfather’s death and my grandmother moving to Hill Haven. The Jamesons, at the request of my grandmother and with my full support, applied through the legal system to adopt me as their daughter.” She held up a hand to forestall any response from the congregation. “The court system formally approved the application this past week. Indeed, for me, things have been made new.” Unrestrained applause echoed throughout the sanctuary.
Cathy once again looked quickly at Eric. “I have a new father, a wonderful man I call Dad.” She looked directly at Allison. “I have a new mother, a wonderful woman I call Mom.” Her face lighted with a grand smile. “I have a brother, Joseph Mansfield, who will be my husband one day, God willing.” Joseph clapped his hands. “So you see, things are new and wonderful for me, as if I were living in the New Jerusalem. Thanks be to God!”
Cathy returned to her seat. Joyful riffs from the organist and pianist aided and abetted the eruption of sound in the sanctuary. Eric, stunned, looked to Reverend Parker.
Reverend Parker rose. “Thus endeth the lesson for today. Let us go forth from this place confident in the certain arrival of a new Heaven and a new Earth, and with an abundance of joy and thanksgiving for the formation of a new family.”
John Carlyle stood to announce the change in the recessional hymn. “We will close with Hymn 383, This Is a Day of New Beginnings. Please stand and join hands as we sing.”
The choir and accompanist once more showed their versatility by leading the congregation as if the hymn had been scheduled:
This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on, time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone.
For by the life and death of Jesus, God’s mighty Spirit, now as then, can make for us a world of difference, as faith and hope are born again.
The let us, with the Spirit’s daring, step from the past and leave behind our disappointment, guilt, and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find.
Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings, our God is making all things new.
In faith we’ll gather around the table to taste and share what love can do. This is a day of new beginnings, our God is making all things new.
With the last note, Eric joined Reverend Parker at the center of the chancel. He exclaimed, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen, Amen, and Amen.” Eric and his family went out of the sanctuary into their new life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My beloved Andrea continues to exhibit profound patience with me for the time I spend in my writing den, and always supports my creative efforts. Our two daughters, Anne-Marie Schultz and Christina Sell—both well-published authors—constantly encourage me to keep writing.
The following persons read an advanced draft of the manuscript for Comfort and Affliction, and provided valuable insights and comments that markedly improved the novel: Joan Piper Hammett, Dr. Jason Macomson, Diane Toney, and Sherrill Fincher West. Dr. Bob Simons ensured that the medical aspects of events described in Chapter 32 correspond to presently accepted treatment standards.
I consider Diane Lee, my sister in the Christian Community of Believers, much more than an excellent editor who dramatically improved the text of Comfort and Affliction: She became a valued collaborator on my previous book, Thoroughly Biased Opinions, and on this novel. Working with Diane, a licensed lay minister in the United Methodist Church, became a truly meaningful and joyful endeavor.