I have a great deal to learn about Grace, but at least I know how to get from my office to the sacristy and back again. What I am finding most interesting about new ministry is that I have suddenly appeared in the lives of the people of Grace. This week I met with a family who will be celebrating the baptism of their young son this fall. I also did a committal service for a family whose mother and grandmother had been a member of Grace and who were finally able to get together to place her ashes (inurn) in our columbarium.

Beyond those familiar rituals are the stories I am entering, the spiritual lives of the people of Grace. The image of a journey or pilgrimage has a long history in the Christian tradition. Augustine of Hippo used it of himself, of the church (the city of God in its earthly pilgrimage) and of individuals. The power of the image is that we come together for a time, each of us on our own pilgrimage, to journey together. How long that common journey will be is known to God. However long, it is our task to help each other on the way.