Advent begins again

Today is the first Sunday of Advent, my favorite season of the church year. Today Steve began preaching a new sermon series called "Christmas Carols." Today's sermon title was "O Little Town of Bethlehem" - one of my favorite carols. As I got ready for 11:15 A.M. worship I accidentally pulled out an advent stole Sheila Jones had made for me years ago which depicts the little town of Bethlehem. It took me back to the days of Overbrook Church in Columbus, Ohio. I remember how I received it. The first Sunday of Advent that year (1997) - in the middle of the worship service, Larry, the music minister, stopped the service. He then took my old stole off of me and put a new stole on me. And then he did the same thing to Bill, all the while telling us that these are gifts from the church that the two stoles make one story. When we stood side by side the picture was that little town of Bethlehem. None of us knew then that it was going to be the first of only two Advent seasons in which those stoles would tell the story of the little town of Bethlehem together. Less then two years later I married Will and moved away to Louisville. This morning, as that advent stole hung on my neck down to the front of my robe, I thought of Bill and what a wonderful mentor and teacher he had been. Most everything I know as to how to be a pastor I learned from Bill and Sue Mooney (the parish nurse). Of course, later I learned many more skills from John at Harvey Browne as well. As I sat next to Steve during worship this morning I remember how blessed I have been with the senior pastors. I look forward to continue learning new skills from Steve. Back to Bill - it was Oct.15, 1995 in the afternoon when Bill took me to the hospital to visit two members. That was my very first day at work as an ordained minister. The lady I went to see had died a few hours before I got there. So, to make the long story short, I had to do the service since Bill was already committed to doing a wedding that week end. I had not even attended a funeral in this country let alone having done one. Bill wrote the whole service for me. All I did was deliver it. He told me, "Hmingi borrow my stuff, my style, my resources. Use anything any time you wish until you find your style and your own voice". I protested, "I don't have a style, I will just copy yours. What do you mean 'my voice?'" With a smile, Bill said to me, "Oh, yeah - you will find your style or it will find you. When it happens you will know it. If you don't, I will tell you. You will also find your own voice - especially for preaching - someday, be patient." So, I continued arguing - "I don't like to preach and I will not have a voice for it." Bill smiled silently. I enjoyed borrowing everything from Bill just as he so generously permitted me. Towards the end of my second year Bill came up to my office and said, "So, you have found your voice and you now have your style! Congratulations!!! I was so dumb-founded. I then realized that I had been speaking on my own, writing my own sermons and funeral meditations. Thank God for great teachers like Bill Leety. When I grow up I do want to become more like Bill who made the congregation sing hymns like "Lord I want to be like Jesus in'a my heart" When Advent comes around I think of my great wise teacher, mentor and friend Bill - who was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received from God. So, I sing, "Lord I want to be more like Jesus and Bill Leety in word and deed." Having the privilege to learn from people like Bill is one way of living the meaning of Psalm 116:7 "Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you....."