Remember who you are!

William H. Willimon, the Bishop of The United Methodist Church (who will be offering a public lecture tonight at St Mary’s Anglican church in Kerrisdale) tells the story of how when he was a teenager his mother would say to him, every time he left the house, 

 Remember who you are!

It was not that his mother was afraid he would forget his name or address. It was her ‘maternal benediction’. It was her way of reminding him that he was the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Remember who you are!

(Singing with the choir)

May the Lord bless you and keep you

May s/he shine a light upon your face

May you feel the heat of God’s glory in your bones

May you know God’s kindness and grace

May God’s love define your ways of living

May you see God’s face among your friends

May you live your story empowered by God love

May you be comfortable walking in your skin

May you find your worth from your maker

And live in freedom all of your days

May you grow in the sense of who you really are

May God’s light show you the way

May you know that you have the power

To add salt and light into this world

May you discover all your gifts 

               and give them generously

May you listen for God’s every word    

~ Maeve

From my farewell sermon at Trinity United Church 

in Kitsilano on June 5, 2011