On Sunday, July 14, 2019, St. Martin-in-the-Fields said goodbye to two ministers – Rector Scot McComas and Youth Minister Megan Grant. Scot is answering a call to become the rector of the Episcopal Church of the Nativity in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Megan is answering a call to become the minister to children, youth, and families at Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.
Our 10:30 am worship was like on most summer Sundays – children processed from church to Sunday School, we sang, we heard Bible readings, we prayed together, we heard a sermon. We shared a meal at God’s table with an invitation to everyone. We prayed with those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. But through all the normal parts of worship, we recognized and acknowledged that a transition was happening. Father Scot spoke of it in his sermon. Megan spoke of it in her announcements to the congregation. And after Holy Communion, we said the Prayer for Leave Taking from the Book of Occasional Services to acknowledge that Scot’s relationship as our pastor ended.
O God, you have bound us together for a time as priest and people to work for the advancement of your kingdom in this place: we give you humble and hearty thanks for the ministry which we have shared in these years now past.
We thank you for your patience with us despite our blindness and slowness of heart. We thank you for your forgiveness and mercy in the face of our many failures.
Especially we thank you for your never-failing presence with us through these years, and for the deeper knowledge of you and each other which we have attained.
We thank you for those who have been joined to this part of Christ’s family through baptism. We thank you for opening our hearts and minds again and again to your Word, and for feeding us abundantly with the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of your Son.
Now, we pray, be with those who leave and with us who stay, and grant that all of us, by drawing ever nearer to you, may always be close to each other in the communion of your saints. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
There were plenty of light moments in the day, and these were a few:
- Megan giving high fives to kids as they entered church
- Father Scot taking photos from the choir loft and selfies from the pulpit
- Delightful table conversations and food at our reception
- Friends taking photos and selfies with Scot and Megan
- Scot and Megan cutting cake because young folks were waiting
The celebratory potluck was a delicious feast in our parish hall that was being decorated as Narnia for Vacation Bible School. Vestry member Sharon Dudek, a teen parent, thanked Megan on our behalf and spoke about her ministry with teens and families. Megan appreciated the photo book and written notes from us.
Senior Warden Keen Haynes thanked Father Scot, and spoke heartfelt words of appreciation on our behalf. Scot appreciated his photo book keepsake and the notes so many had written. Keen received Scot’s keys, and will hold them in trust until a new rector begins his or her pastoral relationship with the parish.
Boy Scouts gathered and thanked Father Scot and honored him as a chaplain.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields is grateful to Scot and Megan, who ministered among us and alongside us, and for the growth of ministry that we engaged in, together.
View photos from Sunday on Facebook.
View photos from Sunday on Flickr, too, below.
