Wander Freely

On Sunday, April 18, The Rev. Michael Phillips, rector of Holy Trinity Church, joined us as guest preacher and speaker at the adult education forum. During the course of the morning, with great enthusiasm, he shared the history of our two churches and spoke eloquently and inspiringly about the importance of mission and vision of the Episcopal Church and our role in it.

The Rev. Phillips described the long standing relationship of our two churches that started when St. James’ supported Holy Trinity by providing clergy that allowed it to function as a mission church. Holy Trinity is an outgrowth of a gift of property originally intended to be used for the social benefit of primarily German immigrants to the Yorkville neighborhood. Our churches are linked by a long history of providing for our neighbors in the changing history of our city.

I was particularly struck by the biblical underpinning he provided for the message of how the modern church can view its role in the world. Using the story of Moses leading the Israelites in the wilderness after having been freed by Pharaoh, he pointed to the opportunity to wander freely, led by God, choosing where we will go and how we will live out our mission as Christians in the world.

Reflecting on the changes in our society during the past fifty years or so, the Rev. Phillips asked us “When people look back 100 years from now, what vision will we (St. James’) have left for them to see?” In this bicentennial year, he encouraged us to look to the future through the lens of our history and accomplishments. What is our mission today and for the future?

--Madeline Schroth, Vestry