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Greetings from Rev. Susan
As I was contemplating a call to return to the First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill, I quoted an old saw, “You can’t go home again!” My daughter, Emily, corrected me. “Of course, you can go home!” she said, and provided a more appropriate expression, that of the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who said, “You cannot step twice into the same river.”
In many respects these truisms express a common maxim, “Things change.” Once one has been away from home, enjoyed new experiences, heard new points of view, and gained new insights, home will not seem the same when one returns, for one will be seeing home with new eyes. Similarly, a river is constantly flowing. Things fall into it or are taken from it; it rushes at times and barely moves at others. Go from its banks even briefly and, when you return, you will see something different from when you left.
It has been eight years since I was the Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill. In my time away, I have enjoyed my role as the solo pastor of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Clinton, served on various committees of the Presbytery of Boston, become a published writer, and even briefly entered the world of real estate. I have watched my children become caring, young adults with visions and skills of their own. I have grieved the loss of beloved family members and friends. I believe these experiences have served to improve my confidence, increase my knowledge, and broaden my understanding. They have helped me to discern and hone my gifts and given me new insights into my own life and the lives of others.
In those same eight years, the church has been moving forward, too. The new education wing and fellowship hall were added to the building; some members have moved away and new members have joined the church; the children who once sat on the steps for the children’s sermon are now sitting in college classrooms and behind the wheels of cars.
So, there have been transformations in me and in you. But, while some things change, others never will. The church still describes itself as: “an intimate spiritual fellowship which warmly welcomes all in committed service to the Lord, the community, and each other.” Sunday morning still finds Jacob at the organ making a joyful noise unto the Lord, and, I’m willing to bet, the children still beat the grownups to the snack table when the service ends. As for me, I still read that description of the church and think, “Yes!” I still write and sing songs in my own desire to make a joyful noise, and I am still inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of children.
So, I have a feeling that Emily was right and my return to the First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill will, indeed, in many ways, feel like “going home.” But, even as I rejoice in the idea of the familiar, I am eager to learn what’s new and I hope you will be, too. Together, let us look to see where the Spirit is leading next as we, the Reformed, ever-reforming, seek to serve the One who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,”(Heb.13:8) Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen.
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