During my sabbatical time and vacation time (June 14-September14), you will not be pastor-less. Pastor John Deisinger will be providing pastoral services for hospitalizations, deaths, and other pastoral emergencies. Normally he can be contacted through St. Timothy’s church office (610-435-6512). When the office is not staffed he can be reached at home (610-706-0168). And if there be need, he will call upon Pastor Jerry Rounds.

Neither will you be pastor-less on Sunday mornings. Pastors John Deisinger, David Godshall, Jerry Rounds, Glenn Simmons, Stanley Trout, and George Zacharda will be preaching the Word and presiding over worship on those mornings.

BUT MAYBE IT WOULDN’T BE SUCH A BAD THING TO BE PASTOR-LESS

On the day of my Ordination into the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, my ordination sponsor (my own father) said to me: “Now Dave, to go and do what you’ve been Called to do, will be to go and work yourself out of a job.” The following story might help to explain.

After an accident, a woman rushed through the gathering crowd and started to lean over the victim. She was pushed aside by a man who directed: “Step back, please, I’ve just completed a course in first aid.” He administered what he’d learned to the victim for several minutes. Then the woman whom he’d pushed away, tapped him on the shoulder: “When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I’m already here.”

In whose hands lies the function of Christian ministry? This story is a humble reminder to me, that your ministry is often more valid and effective than mine… and that on some occasions when I rush in to save the day, it would be better for me to be tapped on the shoulder to stand aside, in recognition of the effectiveness of your ministry. Think of the multitudes of people with whom you are in relationship… at work, in school, at home, in community. One of them struggles in their marriage; another of them lacks self-esteem; yet another is always defensive, with few friends to call on. Who can best carry to them a ministry of reconciliation and acceptance? A professional helper who rushes in to save the day? or (if I’ve done my job) you, who is already there for them, already with them in relationship, already qualified in their eyes by a doctorate of trust and friendship?

For their ministries of Word, Sacrament, and Pastoral Care, I am thankful for the pastors named above and that we are not Pastor-Less.

And for ministries in families, with neighbors, at work, and in community, I am thankful for you and that you are so pastor-FULL.

Baptized, for the same purpose as you,