A Note from Steve McCay

  Posted on October 19, 2020  by admin  No comments

New beginnings are bittersweet, as a beginning usually means there is an ending first.  I am excited about the chance to live full time in the town Luke and I love so much, as well as the prospect of a slower, less stressful existence where we two can pay more attention to one another.  All of that brings the anticipation of many possibilities.  On the other hand, we are parting the area in which we both were born and lived until now, as well as friends and family.  That is never easy, but for me personally, the toughest will be leaving my beloved St. Paul’s community.

It was 17 years ago that a friend and former parishioner, Glenn Shephard, told me about this “great church with very cool people and great music and preaching.”  Well, I had to check it out, did so the very next Sunday, and I was greeted at the door that very first day by Wally Frey, the scheduled greeter.  As I walked into the narthex I was struck by the 1960’s fire engine red shag carpeting and trace odor of mildew and thought to myself, ‘this church has no money.’  I remember the congregation was small enough at the time to have coffee hour in the Guild Room.  I soon found that this poor, small congregation had riches to offer.

I immediately was overwhelmed by the hospitality I experienced and the feeling that people where genuinely glad I was there.  As a matter of fact, after a number of weeks attending Sunday services regularly, I missed a week and soon after received an email from then-Rector Nicholas Lang which read, “I’m not the worship police but missed you and wanted to know if you are OK.”  That kind of personal attention, along with beautiful liturgy, smart preaching and glorious music, just sealed the deal and I had found my spiritual home.

I have received so much from being a part of this St. Paul’s community.  The fellowship and opportunity for service has been the most fulfilling, along with many good times I’ve had and the friends who will remain close despite the geographical distance that is about to separate us.  A few examples come to mind as I write this, like getting into trouble while serving on the altar, due to the wonderful influence of Donna Lewis, my short time as a sacristan with Usil Skinner at the helm, who taught me so much that we refer to one another as “mother” and “son”, the first cabaret at the direction of Vince Edwards that began a long tradition of fellowship and fundraising, literally thousands of lunches with my pal Don Sileo, and all the rest of you whose names I must regretfully omit for brevity’s sake, I will have you all in my heart forever more.

I’d also like to thank the current Priest-in-Charge Daniel, Marsha, Jake, Louise, Wardens and Vestry for supporting Luke and me always, and especially during the run-up to this transition.  People have been making a point to remind me of what I have meant to and given to St. Paul’s over the years, and I appreciate it.  Nonetheless, there is no doubt in my mind or heart that the benefit has accrued mostly to me.