This past Sunday I had the pleasure of hearing retired Bishop Hays Rockwell preach two sermons and speak at the forum on his time as 15th rector of St. James’ Church (1976 to 1990). Trying to write briefly about anything Hays says is daunting, but here goes.
Those of us who know Hays can easily recall his strong voice and gift for language that contribute to his wonderful sermons and teaching, and we heard it again on Sunday. Woven into those talks were themes that recalled his time here: the importance of history and continuity, kindness, influence, boldness, transformation and relationships. Hays spoke of people who influenced him and supported him in particular ways: The Rev. John Luce, Bishop Horace Donegan, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and The Revs. Carol Anderson and Hap Warren, and Bishop Gordon McMullan. Each of them, in their own way, supported the two things he remembers hearing were important as he started his ministry here: caring for one another in the parish and caring for those in the wider world. These led to numerous programs over the years from pastoral, to local and global outreach, social justice and advocacy—some of them unpopular in their day—but all strengthening the fabric of who St. James’ was and is.
As the spirit would have it, the gospel for Sunday (Mark 10:35-45) spoke about servanthood. In his sermon Hays used the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” as a starting point to talk about what we may wish for in our lives and how, as Christians, we are to live our lives. Hearing all of this reminded me again of why I love this place—our long history of caring, outreach and building relationships and servanthood. Hays ended by saying that these are the things that draw us into the wider world and are the true dimensions of our calling.
-Madeline Schroth
Vestry Member
October 19, 2009
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Commentary from guest preachers, forum speakers, and others connected with celebrating the 200th anniversary of St. James' Church in Manhattan.
