January 25 is my thirty-first anniversary of priestly ordination. Celebrating it in Bentonville with my best friend felt perfect.
She was at my ordination, and we became friends soon afterwards. I walked through the day recalling “this time 31 years ago, I was…….” Some tears were shed.
At a celebratory breakfast, “31 years ago, I was sitting at St. Dunstan’s with my parents folding the worship booklets. My dad would read a lesson that night in the service.” Kinfolk.
During our visit to Crystal Bridges, I had so many opportunities to recall all the kinfolk who were there that day and have since shaped these thirty one years.
A new exhibit of two artists (Toshiku Takaezu and Lenore Tawney) who shared their lives through letters and became close friends, inspiring one another’s work was especially insightful. Part of their artistic friendship was sharing recipes. Kinfolk.
As a female priest, honoring the value of what is considered woman’s work is a good place to rest. Toshiku wrote, “In my life I see no difference between making pots, cooking and growing vegetables.” Lenore encouraged “following the path of the heart.”
The museum has several places where they encourage guests to create their own art. In one room, there was place to sit and draw one’s emotions. My drawing expressed how I feel celebrating thirty one years of priesthood. It is incomplete—I am not done yet.
Joining me at the art table were three young women who were full of laughter and conversation with one another. They were a musical backdrop. Kinfolk.
As we walked to dinner, my friend continued to listen to my rambling and reminiscences of that ordination day. She had chosen to treat me to dinner at a church building repurposed as a restaurant called The Preacher’s Son. The meal was beyond delicious, but it was my friend’s kind toast to the years of ministry that brought the tears.
There was room left for a slice of passion fruit pie to share. Kinfolk.
Kinfolk. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.
House of Grace 