Midwives of a New Story

A Reflection

Ordination of Rev. Mary Ann Schoetley

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Philadelphia, PA

Joy, pure joy on our smiling faces

The joy of applauding the priestess among us, of giving it a name ' priest '

of fulfilling God's call,

and extending our arms in giving the dream - now living - life and strength.

It is a birth, a renewal.

Giving what was history, a present in our time.

And in it breathing new life,

new hope in each of us and in this blessed community.

God lives here 

and she is called Mother and Father

and in so doing calls each of us, regardless of gender

The Spirit lives here - on the faces and hearts of all -

in mutual recognition of this Pentecost.

Nothing is now the same.

We have claimed our rightful destiny as God's beloved - his children -

born with gifts to be shared,

seeds to be scattered and give fruit,

a Kingdom to build.

And Jesus lives here.

His spirit renewed, his legacy rebirthed in the love and

acceptance that all are One.

His message and life teaching relived in this gathering -

a life shared and broken to make us whole.

Blood given to teach us that power and exclusion

will destroy Jerusalem -

and the temple will not stand.

In this gathering there is no 'we' or 'they'; no hierarchy-

bishop, priest, deacon, laity -

all are co-celebrants in co-creating our God gifted destiny.

We are the midwives in this, the new story.

We depart knowing deeply that

Sophia is rising.

Her spirit is renewing and rebirthing.

Rome will crumble and Jerusalem will rise in her ashes.

Renewed, restored, reflecting our God in Jesus' way;

resonating with the voices of the prophets

who have declared to all God's people,

"The Kingdom of God is at hand.

Let us rejoice and be glad."

Christina M. Genest
April 29, 2009