Goofy and Earnest

“Goofy and earnest – that could be our motto!” Those were the words of vestry member Tom Brooke after hearing this story:
Several years ago a young family settled in Northern Virginia. Shopping for a church to attend, they encountered a seminarian who took a keen interest in them. The seminarian listened to their hopes and concerns and said to them, “I’ve attended most of the Episcopal churches around here. I’ve participated in Eucharist and watched the way each community responds to everyone from infants to the aged. Knowing you as I do, I think you would feel very much at home at the Church of Saint Clement.”

Soon, the family started coming to our church. One of the family members might be considered high spirited and “a little goofy.” Another family member expressed the wonder and sincerity of one who is “very earnest.” The other family members have other gifts. On hearing this story, Tom Brooke immediately uttered to a group of us, “Goofy and earnest – that could be our motto.”

Well, I guess you could say we ARE goofy and earnest. And open, welcoming, and caring.

Welcome to the Church of Saint Clement: the goofy and earnest parish on Quaker Lane!

Made for Goodness

Archbishop Desmond Tutu has a new book out called Made for Goodness. In a recent radio interview, Renee Montagne of National Public Radio asked Archbishop Tutu about the book and his life. Here is an excerpt that especially moved me.

MONTAGNE: Have you found that your relationship to God has changed as you've grown older?

Archbishop TUTU: Yes. I am learning to shut up more in the presence of God.

(Sound bite of laughter)

Archbishop TUTU: You know … you have a kind of shopping list that you bring to God. But more and more, I think you are trying to grow in just being there. Like when you sit in front of a fire in winter, you are just there in front of the fire, and you don't have to be smart or anything. The fire warms you.