I want you all to take your bulletins, turn to the fourth or fifth page, wherever you find a little white space, the space on which you would normally write your grocery list when the sermon gets a little slow.

I remember the exact moment I knew First Church was the right place for me. The night before I preached the candidating sermon upon which the congregation would decide whether or not to call me to be their pastor, the people held a meet and greet. When I got my first look at the potluck table, I knew. On the table, side by side, were Dibbie’s homemade lemon squares, and takeout sushi. I knew this was a church that could treasure the old and welcome the new. “I’m home,” I said to myself.

I might argue that February 2 is one of the most depressing days of the year. It wasn’t always that way. February 2 is the little-known Christian feast of Candlemas, arriving 40 days after Christmas; it marks the day that baby Jesus was presented in the temple, after Mary’s postpartum rituals of purification were done. Greek Orthodox still celebrate it; their priests blessing beeswax candles and sending them home with parishioners, and Mexican Catholics celebrate it, how else? by throwing a party.

Thank you to Revs. Baskette and Jarrett for your willingness to relinquish this pulpit to me and thank you to the members of this congregation who have entrusted the pulpit to me this morning. I pray that I am worthy of the task before me this morning. Amen.

A Mass Kneeling Rev. Kerrie Harthan, January 11, 2009

The central practice of a religious system, Christianity included, or for us, Christianity especially, is to stay awake, to expand our consciousness toward God, to attune ourselves to the ways God becomes known to us, and to accept the revelation of God’s divine presence. This is also the central message of Epiphany: as Christians, our work is to stay awake to the revelation of God.

“Room in the Inn: Spiritual Purpose”