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MARYLAND: Presiding Bishop celebrates Ascension Day, Towson church's anniversary
Celebrating both the occasion on which Christ ascended into heaven 40 days after his resurrection and Trinity's 150th Anniversary, Jefferts Schori said, "I can't think about Ascension without seeing those old stained glass windows and paintings that show Jesus' bare feet in midair."
A few chuckles ran though the congregation as Trinity's rector, the Rev. James Ransom, drew the crowd's attention to the church's large stained glass window depicting just that scene.
Images of old feet -- dirty, bunioned and sore -- and of young feet just setting out on the path of life; of feet being washed and feet being abused; and of feet walking, washing and serving depicted the core message of the Presiding Bishop's sermon: "connecting with the dirt and pain of all humanity is the way to connect with God."
Jefferts Schori called on the congregation to continue moving forward in its mission. "There is a part of each of us, and of every church community, that would prefer to focus on where Jesus has gone, rather than where he is, where he abides," she said. "It's a way of letting ourselves off the hook. If we can just stand here and bless, maybe we don't have to go out there and wash feet, or feed people, or change the systems that keep some folks hungry. Jesus tells those disciples to stay in the city until they receive Holy Spirit, but he also tells them that they'll have work to do when the spirit comes."
Following the hour-and-a-half service, Jefferts Schori stood outside in the cool evening and greeted more than 300 congregants. While waiting in line one parishioner commented, "She [Jefferts Schori] empowers others with her calm center. Her delivery is sure and steady, comforting. I want to go out into the world and just do."
The full text of Jefferts Schori's sermon is available here.
The Ascension Day service was the final act of the year-long celebration of Trinity Church's anniversary. The original church, the nave of the current building, was dedicated on Ascension Day in 1860. Combined choirs from Trinity's former missionary chapels, now Church of the Good Shepherd, Ruxton, and Church of the Holy Comforter, Lutherville, as well as Comforter's hand bell choir performed. Members of Trinity's Korean congregation were represented as the vicar, the Rev. Paul Kim, read the gospel in his native Korean.
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