Barbara Marquand, Senior Warden

This year’s stewardship theme is Walk In Love.
In contemplating what that means, I thought first about what it doesn’t mean. What is the opposite of “walk in love?”
For me it’s something all too familiar: shrink back in fear.
Reflecting on my life, the instances I regret most are those when I’ve shrunk back in fear. And to this very day, I’m often tempted to shrink back.
I’m not talking about the healthy kind of fear that serves us by warning us of true danger so we can respond appropriately.
I’m talking about the corrosive kind of fear that eats away at our confidence and keeps us stuck in self-doubt and resistance – the kind of fear that questions whether our presence matters.
Sometimes that fear can be very subtle. It’s a slight constriction of the heart – just enough to prevent us from saying hello to someone new. Or maybe it stops us from volunteering for an interesting project because we’re not sure if we’ll fit in or have anything to offer. Or maybe it even keeps us from showing up at all.
Walking in love isn’t about eliminating fear. Fear is going to arise from time to time – maybe a lot of the time. Instead, walking in love is about making a choice to open the heart and move forward in a life-giving way, even when it doesn’t feel completely comfortable.
I liken it to how Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast defines grateful living: “openness to surprise.”
The beauty of walking in love – that openness to surprise – is that it comprises steps, just one at a time.
Years ago Rev. Julius Rogina said in a homily, “God loves small things.” I was so struck by that statement that I wrote it down on an index card at home. It was an important reminder because my ego tries to convince me that I need to do big things to be worthwhile, which leaves me feeling inadequate and overwhelmed.
Small things contain worlds of possibility. Look at anything good in your life. I guarantee it all began with one small step – an inkling of an idea, a tiny action.
I see all kinds of those steps happening here at Trinity. Next month, for example, our labyrinth, which for years had been in storage, will be available for walking meditation on All Saints Day weekend. The revival of that ministry started with parishioner Sean Smith asking one evening after the Saturday service, “Do we still have the labyrinth? I’d like to start up that ministry again.” The other beautiful thing about walking in love is that we can do it together. Let’s face it, sometimes the path is treacherous, and taking even one step is difficult. We need encouragement from others.
And sometimes the path is dark, and we can’t see our way. A child is sick. A loved one died. The doctor called with a devastating diagnosis. Whatever the trigger, it feels like everything is falling apart.
When fear blinds us to the divine light within ourselves, we need others around us to share their light and brighten the path.
Light shines at Trinity through our services and structured ministries such as the grief support groups, as well as through friendships forged by working and praying and laughing together. I know I’ve benefited from that shared light too many times to count over the last 20-some years that I’ve been here.
This stewardship season, I invite you to think about what “walk in love” means for you and how you’d like to join, or continue to be part of, the next steps along our journey together.

 

Jim Heller, Handchimes Director

 

Betsy Bethke

My name is Betsy Bethke. I have been asked to speak with you today and share some thoughts regarding this year’s theme “Walk in Love” as part of Trinity’s Stewardship Drive. I believe God has provided each of us a path to follow and we become aware of the gifts he has given us as we walk along this path. I will be sharing some of my spiritual walk with you today.
I am a lifelong Episcopalian. I was baptized at the age of three and grew up attending church, going to Sunday school and singing in the choir. I was confirmed at the age of 13. My youth was largely a happy time filled with family and friends. One of my earliest memories was being awestruck that I was alive and wondering what God had planned for me.
I studied multiple religions during my undergraduate years. It was during this time that I noted a common thread, throughout many of the religions of the belief in God (or a higher being). Mostly however, these studies led me to reaffirm my belief as an Episcopalian. During college I met and married my first husband. I became not only an RN but also an officer’s wife. Our daughter was born in March of 1976. We reveled in being new parents and shared the joy of having a baby in the house.
In December of 1977, God’s plan and path changed dramatically for us. My husband died and my world crashed down upon me. I couldn’t believe God would do this to us. I turned my back on God for a while during that time but He never abandoned me. We moved back to my home town and for the next several years I worked as an emergency department nurse. During that time my relationship deepened not only with my daughter but with my Mom who showered me with love and support. I joined Saint Aiden’s Episcopal Church, Jenn was baptized, and my faith God deepened once again.
I returned to school after having an epiphany during a medical conference and thinking God had more planned for me. I finished my master’s degree and decided to continue my education and applied to a doctoral program in California. I was accepted! Once again, the road God planned was not a linear one. On the day Jenn and I were to move to our new home in California, I got a phone call regarding some medical tests I had taken. “I don’t think it is cancer, but…” the doctor said. I ended up losing the house I had begun to purchase an put my plans on hold.
Throughout my life, whenever my plans differ from God’s, obstacles are placed in my way and the path becomes more difficult to walk. This time was no different. It wasn’t cancer, but the doctoral program was delayed a year.
I ended up with a house in a new location but in the same town. Jenn was a teenager and decided to see if she could drum up some baby sitting jobs while I was busy studying. She met a neighbor who became one of my closest friends. This neighbor suggested a blind date, something I had never done nor had time for. Nevertheless, I gave in to appease her and went on a lunch date. During the meal, the gentleman quoted Robert Frost (who happened to be one of my favorite poets, unbeknownst to him). The rest is history, so to speak. Two years later, Bruce and I were married. That was almost 33 years ago and we remain strong partners to this day and he is “Dad” to Jenn.
While living in California we attended Holy Family Church and Bruce was confirmed into the Episcopal Church. During this time, I became a member of the Vestry, LEM and subsequently a Daughter of the King. Daily prayer became a habit for me. Prior to this time, my prayers mostly occurred during times of sadness and difficulty. I know the Lord continued to walk with me.
Upon retirement we moved to Idaho. This was obviously the correct choice because our home in California sold within a week of being on the market. Again, God’s plan ruled! We settled into our new home and found our church home at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. It was during this time that I became a member of PEO, a spiritually centered philanthropic organization for women. I was also trained as a Eucharistic Visitor and met some wonderful individuals though this ministry. I was growing once again as a Episcopalian.
After 15 years in Idaho, it seemed time to downsize and move closer to our daughter and now two grandchildren. I suppose it was the Lord’s plan once again because our home sold within two weeks this time. In October of 2018 we found our new home in Reno. It was soon after that we found our new church community at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
I thought God’s plan this time was to let us to sit quietly in the pew on Sunday. This has not turned out to be the case. I now use the gifts God has bestowed upon me by being a Eucharistic Minister, Prayer Team Coordinator, a member of the Finance Committee, volunteer within the Sack Lunch Program, and a member of the Alter Guild. I continue to be an at large member of DOK following the Rule of Life based on the vows I took over 25 years ago. I also found and joined a Reno PEO chapter, and am actively involved in fundraising to support scholarships for women.
I feel so blessed by God, and he remains ever present in my life. I wish to end today with the thought that God is good! He has sent us down a path chosen for us. During the Trinity Family Service I read the book The Oak Inside the Acorn by Max Lucado to the young parishioners. It is a wonderful story noting God’s desire for us to become the person he has created us to be. He has given us many gifts of treasure, time, and talent. Please don’t bury them! Share your abundance with Trinity Cathedral so we can continue to grow. I ask you to be part of our Glorious Lord’s teachings as you Walk in Love.