Let not the needy, O Lord be forgotten, nor the hope of the poor be taken away. (BCP, 98)
Nine months ago, was roughly September 1st, the first day I began my tenure as an associate rector at St. John’s. That day I felt both excited and overwhelmed. I remember someone from the parish asking me what my responsibilities would be as associate rector. I jokingly said, ‘all the things that the rector cannot be involved in the parish.’ Furthermore, I elaborated that Mo. Sarah could not possibly be involved in everything. It’s impossible, so by default, my role was to take care of the other things, splitting responsibilities.
I was tasked to be the clergy liaison for five things: Outreach, Parish Care, Adult Formation, Stewardship, and the Episcopal Youth Coalition. At the beginning, I was overwhelmed. It felt like drinking from a fire hydrant. There was a lot of information, and everyone was excited to have another pair of hands to help.
One Monday morning, I asked myself how am I going to be a steward of my time and be faithful to the work I was given. I came up with a plan that I thought would make my work and responsibilities manageable. I began a habit of allocating time for each ministry. For example, I would concentrate on outreach on Monday and adult formation on Wednesday. These small steps changed my overwhelmed state to a meaningful and grateful state. Small habits can change one’s life and can bring some sense of manageability.
Whatever situation you find yourself in today, please know that the “one day at a time” mantra from Alcoholics Anonymous is a simple, yet profound philosophy. It has changed my life and the lives of those I love.
This also applies to the prayer that I led with. Loving God necessitates a response to intervene for those who are struggling. Our role as followers of Christ is simple: to be close to those who are needy and poor so that they can feel the proximity of God. The lesson for me in the past nine months has been that a ‘pastoral presence’ is equivalent to a midwife’s presence in labor.
My prayer is that we all know that the small things and acts mean a lot to others. This sentiment and prayer connects my ministry with my Grandfather. He was known for his saying, “Yinto naleyo!” (every little deed counts for something.) This was my grandfather’s slogan for his ministry and for life.
Here is the testimonial of a senior priest who worked with and was mentored by my grandfather. May it encourage you to live a life where each small offering you make with your time and personhood adds to the faithful work of God.
“It is with sadness and grief that we heard of the passing on of Rev. Ncaca. It is the end of an era: a generation of priest who suffered all and yet gave their all for the work of ministry. They endured abuse and vilification from their white rectors, they endured discrimination within the Church, and yes, they withstood abuse from parishioners. Holy poverty did not discourage them from running the race. They were bulwarks against the impatience and short-term vision of younger clergy on the future of the church. In the heat of the struggles, he stood tall as a beacon of hope for their congregations against the relentless onslaught of white oppression. Canon Ncaca belonged to a generation of priests who believed that the church was the light on a hill, with a sanctuary that reached outward, the voice of the voiceless, and a vanguard in the struggle for justice. They represented the best in Anglicanism and he believed he was a true representative of God. We thank God for his life and ministry for what he meant to many of us, the lives he touched in his journey. May His Soul Rest in Peace and rise in glory.”
(Canon Dr. and Mrs. Mongezi Guma)