The Installation and Examination of Libby Janes
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Installation at Synod Assembly
The Evening Worship & Installation Service for Libby Janes during the Synod gathering included several meaningful highlights that reflected the breadth and spirit of the community. Representatives from all of the synod’s presbyteries participated as liturgy readers, symbolizing the shared voice and unity of the region.
The sermon was delivered by Rev. Ted V. Foote Jr., who preached a message titled “Watch-persons with Lanterns and Networking.” The following day, Foote also led a thoughtful discussion with Synod commissioners about his new book, Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America, co-written with Rev. P. Alex Thornburg.
Rev. Dr. John Williams served both as presider and musician for the service, helping guide the worship experience. Adding a personal note to the occasion, a beautiful SPDR stole worn during the service had been generously gifted by Pastor Sharon Curry.
Linked below is the bulletin from the service and a Prayer for Disaster Recovery, both of which are excellent resources.
Synod of the Sun Evening Worship & Installation Service - CLICK HERE
Prayer for Disaster Recovery - CLICK HERE
Examination at Mission Presbytery Meeting
Question posed to Libby Janes from Mission Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry in the examination for enrollment as a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
In the creation story, God blesses the newly created humans and says to them: "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." Within your call to a ministry of disaster preparation and response, how do you understand the gift and duties of human "dominion" over creation?
I think the concept of dominion is a very serious responsibility,
and one that appropriately brings us some pause,
as we deeply lament the human role in disasters –
We suffer from the violence of active shooters in our communities,
We are seeing a rise in severe weather incidents such as wildfires, related to climate change.
I think it is right for us to pray for people, and that we strive to protect people,
who are vulnerable to being subdued -
who are at the mercy of harmful public policies,
or living in the highest risk neighborhoods,
bearing the worst devastation of disasters.
In Hebrew, the word subdued, kavah כָּבַ, is described in my favorite reference book[1]
as the remaining glow of a fading campfire,
the embers subdued under layers of ash.
It says this dim, surviving flicker of light is like “the ‘glowing wick’
of a lamp that has run out of oil and will go out entirely if not refilled.
A flame of life nearly extinguished under ashes poses an urgent need requiring tending,
for there is an urgent risk of death, or perhaps nearly extinguished hope.
What did Uncle Ben from Spiderman remind us?
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
The responsibility to care for the world,
Taking up this gift of God to stewardship – care of the world
Can feel – heavy.
But we are not like Atlas from Greek mythology – carrying the weight of the world all alone.
In ministry we never serve alone.
Especially in the partnership of disaster recovery work –
Especially in the friendship of ministry colleagues.
we must never feel that we stand alone,
For God is with us,
and the Holy Spirit enjoins us with the people we need,
and enjoins us to be the person they need,
Just at the right moment.
To re-alight our hope again.
To stir fading embers into a re-ignition of life!
Because when you’re at that campfire, what do you need to reignite that fire, but to tend those embers in the ashes.
And for God’s gift of grace,
For the beauty of our co-creative ministries,
And people to share the load and walk this road,
I am grateful.
Mother Teresa said, “God has no hands but ours, and we are called to mend the world.”
In one of many conversations I had this week about theodicy and disaster recovery,
My friend, Ted, shared this wonderful quote from Rabbi Irving Greenberg:[2]
God has given us “an indispensable role”
of what is known in the Jewish tradition as Tikun Olam, which means repairing the world.
“God has invited us as humans, the image of God, to enter into a covenantal partnership – a partnership of committed love – to join fully in perfecting the universe, tikum olam [repairing the world] … God’s first covenant, the Noahide covenant – never superseded – is made with all of humanity [and all of creation, as Dr. Bill Greenway would have us remember.]… Indeed, it is made with all sentient beings. All [of us] are called to recognize and participate in Creation’s patterns, to accept limits, to direct their choices and actions to the side of life. We are called upon to join in working for order against chaos. We are chosen to become part of the process of the movement from nonlife to life.”
Friends, God has called us into disaster recovery ministry together
to stoke the subdued embers – to reignite hope.
God calls us to be image bearers, and covenant partners.
And for this I am grateful. Thanks be to God. Amen.
[1] (TDOT) Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament, Edited by Johannes G. Botterwick and Hemler Ringren, 16 vols, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977.
[2] For the Sake of Heaven and Earth: The New Encounter Between Judaism and Christianity by Irving Greenway, p. 55 & 187
Kavah: Reigniting hope in the glow of embers subdued under layers of ash
Photos from Libby's Examination
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