Nancy Wichmann

Evening Prayer Service

The grace of Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.

Many are the prayers we carry as individuals. Knowing we are all connected, we bear witness to each other’s prayers, for the prayer of one of us to You is the prayer of all.
(You may say a prayer aloud or silently.)

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend our spirits;
For you have redeemed us, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
Hide us under the shadow of your wings. Amen.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world,
the light no darkness can overcome.
Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,
and the day is almost over.
Let your light scatter the darkness
and illumine your church.

I had started noticing this past weekend that my enthusiasm at being here at the seminary was waning a bit. That bothered me. I was afraid that the dream was already fading. Today as we toured the chapel, our leader, Pr. Jordon noticed that something wasn’t quite right so we had a little chat.

I think a lot has to do with having to give or throw away so many things that had strong memories attached. And squeezing what is left into this little room is no picnic either. But it’s mostly the loss of the tangible remnants of memories that troubles me.

Family Background and Significant Events

The lack of religious focus in my family of origin and my gender identity issues would often predict one's rejection of God, yet I consistently found myself being drawn back to the church.

From an early age I sensed that I was different from other kids. At an age when girls were supposed to be "icky" and had "cooties," I was far more comfortable with girls than boys. Being transgender pitted me against all the authority figures in my life, especially my parents.

Being born into a military family, we moved a lot. Church never seemed to be a priority in our family, except to me. When we moved to South Carolina, there was a church halfway down the block. I wasn't aware of differences in denominations when I entered the Southern Baptist church on my own. I was so proud when I earned my nine month perfect attendance pin for Sunday School.

Luke 24:13-35 (Year A)

When you start paying attention, the Lectionary that we use is pretty interesting. We are now at Easter plus two weeks. Last week the lesson was Thomas' encounter with the risen Jesus which was eight days after Easter, so one day ahead of where we were. Today's lesson takes place back on Easter, two weeks ago. So close your eyes and take a deep breath. Whoosh! It's Easter Sunday again (does that mean we can sing "Jesus Christ is Risen Today" again).

Matthew 17:1-9 (Year A)

Every year, on the last Sunday before Lent, we take a break from our march through the gospel to experience again the event called the Transfiguration. But there is a small problem with this diversion: we come to this story without having seen the events leading up to it.

In the Christian tradition, we hold that Jesus was both fully human and fully divine. While Jesus was in flesh form, Jesus disregarded his divinity (Phil 2:6-7). Knowledge of divine fact came through the Spirit, with all the same limitations we mortals have.

In the early part of the first gospel, we see Jesus acting like a garden-variety messiah (there were others who claimed that title). But beginning with the great parables of the 13^th chapter, we see a Jesus who is beginning to realize what his role as a Messiah really means both to himself and to his disciples.

At this time of the year, it is hard to find joy outside the coming of the Word Incarnate. It is all too easy to dwell on the pains of Christmas Past and focus on the loneliness of Christmas Present alone. So I suppose that it is some comfort that I realize that my growth in matters spiritual has been enhanced by that very loneliness.

In the monastic ideals, one devotes oneself to prayer and study of the scriptures, with a celibate lifestyle to aid those endeavors. For me, celibacy is not a choice; it simply is a fact of my life. Don’t get me wrong: in many ways I appreciate it. Certainly it gives me more time to study and pray – and fewer distractions from that.

Also in the monastic life, work is simply a means to provide for oneself and the community. I seem to have evolved into a similar pattern. I work, but look forward to coming home, where I often study. Prayer is a constant companion, even during work.

In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29, NRSV)

Paul has abruptly changed to the second person plural to show that his readers should take personally the following verses. The apostle takes the honorific phrase, "sons (children) of God," from the Jews who would only get this title at the Last Judgment directly from God, and bestows this status on Gentiles who believe now.

I have a friend, and for purposes of protecting her confidentiality, I'll call her "Linda." Linda had some surgery last week for breast cancer. When she left the hospital, she already knew that the doctors were still concerned.

After recuperating alone for a few days, she was getting depressed about her prospects, yet she knew that God was still on her side. She asked me to come over after church on Sunday, which I was happy to do. I knew about the surgery, but did not know yet what the doctors had told her.

As she told me the news, she cried and I tried to comfort as best as I could, which seemed inadequate. Then she said that she had an appointment with the surgeon and oncologist today and asked if I would go with her for comfort and another set of ears. Well, of course, I agreed.

Passage: Galatians 3:15-29

Introduction

It is not uncommon for Christians to turn to the Law (Torah) when they disagree with someone's actions or lifestyle. Paul reminds us of the promise made in God's covenant with Abraham and declares that the coming of the Mosaic Law did not modify that covenant. Paul shows that the Law is inferior to, and not a substitute for, the promise, but reveals sin and leads to Christ. He then declares that Christ's death frees us from the Law and its works, making all equal in the promise. In doing this, Paul declares that mature Christians should not be using the Law as a club to normalize behavior.

During my entrance interview with the Candidacy Committee I was asked a couple of questions for which I should have been better prepared. The questions below could easily be part of my witness in the future and a coherent answer is called for.

Tell us about your baptism

This question arises because I was baptized a year and a half ago, as an adult, at the church that endorsed my beginning the candidacy process. The committee may not see many people who actually remember their baptism.