Halloween and Ordination

The Rev. Shannon Ferguson Kelly

October 31, 2007

Today is Halloween. It is a day that people dress up in costumes, some scary, some funny, some, just plain weird. I can remember the fun and excitement of Halloween as a child - the parties at school, trick-or-treating with my friends and family, and the great candy trade at the end of the day so that you got what you wanted. As I grew up, it became more about dressing up and partying. Now, as an adult, it seems that it has become a holiday that I enjoy through my child.

However, today is also the anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood. Eight years ago today, I was ordained at St. Mark’s Church in Palo Alto, California. It was an amazing day. All the kids came dressed up in their costumes. One child told me that I wore my “priest” costume and another told me that I was dressed in my “angel” costume (or my robe). My bishop from the Diocese of Idaho came for the ordination, friends, family and other clergy came to celebrate the day. There are many things that stick out in my head from that day, but one that I will never forget, and one that I’m sure Bishop Bainbridge will never forget, is the picture around the altar at communion. Not only were their priests in their “priests costumes,” but there were 20-30 children in their Halloween costumes, gathered around the altar together. We had Medusa, Pokemon, St. Patrick, ladybugs, princesses and monsters, all gathered at the altar – coming to the place where we are all welcome – at the Lord’s table.

As I reflect on these eight years, I hope that this picture of EVERYONE being welcome at the altar has encompassed my ministry and what God has called me to do.

In the Gospel of John we hear, ^“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” On this day when we are dressing up to scare people or when there are witches hanging in doorways and people jumping out of haunted houses trying to scare us, Jesus reminds us that we need not fear. Our life is not meant to be lived in fear. Rather, our life is meant to be lived in that space of faith and doubt, asking the questions and letting the Holy Spirit move among us and within us. As Christians we are called to be welcoming of everyone, to bring peace to the world and to live in the love of God, knowing that we are a part of God, and God a part of us.

O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

- Book of Common Prayer, page 528