April 26, 2024
Installations
The word “install” is a verb which means “to put in place for service,” such as installing an appliance or software. But it can also apply to a person, such as installing a new fire chief. The noun “installation” is something that has been installed. A week ago today, I attended the opening of an installation. It was called “Murals of Hope” and it is found at Temple De Hirsch Sinai. A year ago last Friday someone entered the Synagogue’s property and desecrated a wall with antisemitic rants. This had happened before to another part of the wall. That time they recruited art students from the Northwest School to re-consecrate a desecrated space by painting a mural over it. Now some years later they recruited three institutions—Wing Luke Museum, The Bush School, and Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences—to do the same. Both murals complement each other with images of life, growth, hope, and promise. We would call this redemption, which means “to buy something back, to give it the worth and value it once had.” I was invited to attend this event as a clergy who reached out to our neighbors with a word of sympathy and support when this happened a year ago. Rabbi Weiner extends his thanks through me to you all for your prayerful support of their community and our intolerance of antisemitism.
Our church has its own installation this Sunday. My new colleague, Lauren St. Martin, will be officially installed as our pastor. Like the murals described above, this service will speak of the life, growth, hope, and promise God has afforded us as a church, and celebrate and claim those qualities by covenanting ourselves to work with Pastor Lauren in the ministries of our church. I am pleased to say that Pastor Lauren’s father, Rev. Mark Pattie, will be preaching at this service. He will also offer a prayer of consecration over Pastor Lauren and myself, blessing the new ministry that we have begun together among you, for you, and with you.
Install, as a verb has one more meaning. It can also mean “to place oneself somewhere.” Although it is seldom used this way, one could say that one “installed themselves in a chat group,” or “installed themselves on the sofa.” In this spirit, I invite you all to install yourselves in this service, whether in the pew or in front of a screen. Further I invite you to consider how you might further install yourself into the life of our church, should you not feel as connect as you would like. For example, if you are receiving this newsletter but are not a member, consider installing yourself into our congregation as a member. In this case, contact me for information.
Blessings on us all as we enter this new season in the life of our church, thanking God for the season of life, growth, hope, and promise which we are experiencing.
With deep thanks to God,
~ Pastor Todd