Rev. Dr. Sharon H. Ringe
God of grace and glory, and of new beginnings, we give thanks that you have
accompanied us on our journey, that you celebrate with us this day, and that
you will be with us for all the days that lie ahead.
We bring our pride to this moment—justified pride
in the faithfulness of the congregation and those who have been our pastors
from the founding of
RUC up to now. Keep that pride from becoming nostalgia or complacency,
and instead use it to energize us for renewed faithfulness in the days ahead.
We bring our eager anticipation of the new directions we have already glimpsed
in Duncan's leadership, and our excitement over the promise of the energy,
creativity, and commitment he brings to this pastorate. We acknowledge twinges
of anxiety as we realize the unfamiliar twists and turns that will greet us
on the journey we and Duncan will share.
We bring our prayers for Duncan and Nancy, giving thanks for their courage
in coming here to cast their lot with us, and praying that you will sustain
them when the hard times come, as they do into every life. Surround them with
your love as we will surround them with ours, and keep them and us faithful
to your will for our individual and corporate lives.
In the midst of the celebrations of this day, we cannot forget the pain and
struggle that are just outside our door, in Rockville, in our nation, and in
this world. Remind us in every moment of the wisdom of Howard Thurman, that
when the celebrating is finished, the work of the Gospel begins: to find the
lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild
the nations, to bring peace among all, and to make music in the heart.
And now let us unite our voices in the prayer Jesus
taught the disciples, praying each in his or her own language. "Our father, que estás
en los cielos….
