by The Very Rev'd Marcus Kaiser, Sr.
This is an exciting day for me, but if I’m honest, it’s a little uncomfortable. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing I’d rather do than formally celebrate this Installation, but there’s two big reasons this is a little odd. First, it’s been 8 months! Normally these things happen after a few weeks, but… pandemic. So here we are, the better part of a year later, and we’re celebrating the new guy who isn’t so new. It’s been long enough that Kim, our boys, and I feel very much like this is our home and you are our people. We still get asked if we’re settling in, and as I’ve told many of you – at some point, one can no longer blame the chaos on settling.
The other reason why it’s a little uncomfortable is because of how we style this celebration. We call it my institution (or installation, or induction, or… something… instaltution?). Here’s the thing, I really do think that’s right. In honesty, there’s nothing requiring us to do this. If it’s just about me, there’s certainly no reason to do a big celebration, much less fly in two archbishops and invite the entire diocese. The bishop could just send me a letter and saying, “tag, you’re it,” and Bob’s your uncle.
No, this is really about you, the person reading this, the parishioner who has faithfully supported, served, and worshiped God in this place – whether you found us last week or have been attending St. Peter’s since her founding. This is a celebration of what you have accomplished, what you have endured, of your faithfulness. But, more importantly, it’s a celebration of what is to come. This is about our congregation, all of us together, as we lean into what God is making us, by way of what He has brought us through. The reason for all of the pomp and circumstance and for the big to-do is in some way because of what St. Peter’s has been and has endured. More importantly, it’s all about what St. Peter’s will mean – to us, yes, but just as much to the Tallahassee community and to the entire church.
So, thank you. Thank you for making this a special event, all of the dozens of folks who have put so much work in. Thank you for simply coming, if you are able, and thank you for offering a prayer if you aren’t. Most of all, thank you for sharing your life with my family and me and for sharing our excitement for what is to come. Today, you matter and we celebrate you. You matter to me, and you matter to the world, and most of all, you matter to Jesus.