Together on the Journey: A Weekly Blog 

This week, I began the somewhat monumental and ongoing process of unpacking and settling into my office here at St. George’s; and as I unpacked my books, photos, art, yoga mat, and flute, I began reminiscing on new beginnings.

Many of the things I have brought with me to St. George’s are from other places where I have also experienced beginnings. There are the books I collected during my time at seminary, when I dived into church world headfirst while also working as a nurse. Then there’s the chalice and paten that my friend Kim from L’Arche Daybreak made for me when I was first ordained to the priesthood. I also have a mug that the good people of my previous parish, St. Luke’s, East York, gave me on my first Sunday with them, which informed me that ‘St. Luke’s is a place where friends become family’. All of these things mark important beginnings.

But in addition to things that have marked beginnings for me, I also brought with me things that marked endings. There’s the picture of St. Margaret’s, New Toronto, where I completed my curacy; the kids from the Sunday school pasted pictures that they drew of themselves on it, including a picture of Jesus that they pasted right in the middle. And I’ve also covered my bulletin board with cards that I received from my parishioners at St. Luke’s on my last Sunday, just a few short weeks ago. These things remind me that my previous communities are behind me, cheering me on, as I go forward into my next new beginning as the new Incumbent here at St. George’s.

Transitions are a time for looking back and looking forward, and while the collection of things in my office may remind me to look back, they also remind me of the excitement of looking forward, of leaning into the unknown, and opening myself up to something new.

Over the next several weeks and months, I look forward to getting to know you individually and as a church community. And as we go through this new beginning together, I invite you to reminisce on what it is you love about St. George’s, and to imagine what you’d love St. George’s to be as we journey together into the future. I look forward to walking with you on this road, trusting that the God of love walks beside us, guiding us, and nudging us on. Amen.

Jess+