I did not come into this world to be comforted.
I came, like red bird, to sing.
- Mary Oliver

When I was three years old, a movie was released telling the story of actress and singer
Jane Froman. She was crippled by an airplane crash but still entertained the troops
during World War II. That movie won an Academy Award in 1952 for Original Music Score.
Its title: With a Song in my Heart.

As I began to write this love letter to all of you - the family of God called All Saints’
Episcopal Church and so many of our good friends - that text and tune welled up from
deep within. With a Song in my Heart! This is what I have been thinking on, this is how
I have been feeling, as I approached our special day of celebration. How, as the
Shakers put it, can I keep from singing?

I cannot keep from singing, because, like Mary, I have wondered for the past year, how
can this be? How can it be that the Divine Conductor has called us together, from
Tennessee to Maryland, to join our hearts and voices, to sing each other’s songs? Only
the Divine Choreographer could orchestrate this new season of ministry we share.

My sisters and brothers, I believe the Lord of Song and Dance is inviting us today to
rejoice, give thanks and sing. Christ Jesus is calling us all to become, more and more,
God’s beloved community, in Frederick and beyond. Through all life’s seasons, even
when the abundance of summer passes, even when hearts are broken, God invites us
to let our hearts be broken open, to receive the grace to sing again and again, even a
new song.

May we listen to and dare to sing the songs deep in our hearts - songs of death
transformed into resurrection, songs of faith, justice, hope, peace, mercy and love. Let
us listen to the voices all around us and the voice within us. Today, let us go out into the
world, rejoicing in the power of God’s Spirit, attentive to the words of another Mary, who
also wonders “how can this be?”

. . .but wait. Be still. Listen!
Is it red bird? Or something inside myself, singing?

The Rev. Thomas A. Momberg - Rector
[taken from the Celebration of New Ministry (June 8th) bulletin]