by The Reverend Maureen (Mo) Major

Hello new friends!

Thank you for the warm welcome into your community! Deborah and I are loving every minute. I look forward to spending more time with you all as we serve the Lord together. 

For those of you that may be wondering about my preferred name, I like to be called Mother Mo. If you are the low-churchman type, then feel free to call me “Mo.” But for those of you that do clerical titles, please call me “Mother.” I am told it feels strange to say because of how old I look. But just like my collar, the title of “Mother” is a perpetual reminder to me that I am here to serve Jesus and my neighbor. It is also a reminder to you that I am here to share God’s love with you and to be your ambassador to Christ’s comfort.

On another note, as you can imagine, starting at a new parish is both exciting and humbling. There are so many new names to learn, traditions to discover, and stories to hear. Typically, there is a period of adjustment in a new relationship—both parties aren’t sure what to expect. But I am grateful for your open-heartedness as I adjust to this chapter of ministry. You have made it very easy for me so far.

The funny thing about life transitions is that we often treat them like burdens, instead of opportunities for growth. We think to ourselves, “once I get settled in and used to my new role, I’ll be able to enjoy things and not be so stressed.” We hope for the mundane to appear in our lives.

But just when we think we have gotten “settled,” another transition, a new rhythm, emerges. And then we must adjust all over again.

This is why I love the Season after Pentecost. Many people call it “Ordinary Time,” but in my opinion, it has never seemed very ordinary. Think about it. Have you ever felt that life has finally become comfortably routine? I certainly haven’t—the Holy Spirit has a way of surprising us just when we think we have finally found our footing.

Just look at some of the Gospel stories we hear during this season: Jesus calms the storm, multiplies the loaves and fish, heals the sick. Time and again, God interrupts what seemed like an ordinary day with extraordinary grace. Jesus does not merely solve a problem with these miracles. Rather, he restores us to our state of grace and invites us into deeper communion with him—and with each other.

The goal of our wild and wonderful baptismal call isn’t to arrive somewhere. We aren’t baptized so we can be settled and finished. Rather, we are called by our baptism to keep saying “yes” to whatever God is doing next. And I am grateful that we have said “yes” to God—and to each other.

I pray that, together, we may refresh each other’s hearts in Christ.

Your little sister in Jesus,

Mother Mo Major

St. Paul’s Welcomes Mother Mo and Deborah!