Installation

Years ago, during my sojourn with the Episcopalians, the new rector of our church arrived, and was going to be formally welcomed by congregation and bishop. I asked eagerly about the details of her installation.

"I am not being installed," she said, testily. "Toilets are installed. I am being instituted."

Well. Here I am, not an Episcopalian any longer, but a Presbyterian, and today I am, indeed, being installed. Come to think of it, I kind of like the toilet metaphor. Toilets are good and necessary things. They keep the household running (ahem) smoothly. They minister to the sick and the well alike. You can read on the toilet.

Now, the toilet does have to deal with a lot of crap. But who doesn't, minister or congregant alike? And while a household can, I suppose, do without a toilet, it's nicer if one's around.

OK. Done torturing that metaphor. I am being installed today. Here is the call to worship for my installation:

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life…
Shall we gather at the river?
… bright as crystal, flowing through the city of God.
Yes! We’ll gather at the river.
On either side of the river is the Tree of Life…
Yes! We’ll gather at the river…
The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
…the river that flows by the throne of God.

I hereby solicit your prayers as I mark the beginning of my ministry with New Church. I am so happy. And a little scared. But mostly happy.