i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

On Sunday October 2, 2011, I joined my Canterbury family to serve as a Deacon for the first and last time. It was a time for joy and celebration, but also sadness. That's me up there, serving as the Gospeller for the first time. The Gospel for the day was Matthew 21:33-46. And while I may not look so happy in that particular photo, I was truly full of joy. Check out this shot from the Celebration Coffee Hour. 

My Canterbury family has provided tremendous support for me on this journey. I don't think I would have made it to this smiling photo if not for them. Through prayers, love, and financial support they raised me up and got me through school. They helped me find joy in worship and service. And when I dreamed big dreams, they were always ready to go along for the ride. 


And then there are these guys:

This is a fair contingent of my acolyte corps. These guys were always ready to serve. And at this special Coffee Hour, they took it upon themselves to raise money for Canterbury's Meals on Wheels ministry. It has been a great joy to watch them grow.


Canterbury is an unique church. Both parish and college ministry. One of the things that we do best is recreating ourselves every Fall as new students come in. We work to support and love them. And after a few months or years we send them off into the world.


It is now my time to go into the world. I am sad to be leaving, but I have been made ready for my work of love and service because of my Canterbury family. When I think of leaving my Canterbury family, I keep coming back to a line from an e.e. cummings poem: "i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)." I know that no matter where I go, I will carry the heart full of love that I found at Canterbury with me. I will carry each person, each moment, each moment of joy and of sadness with me. And I know, just like I have told students as they have left to go on to new adventures, that I always have a home at Canterbury. It is just a phone call away. 


I am humbled by the love and support Canterbury has given me. I say thank you to them all. And I also vow to go into the world, carrying Canterbury with me, to do the work that Canterbury has raised me up to do. 


i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)