Dear St. Lukers,
Tonight, we open our production of The Prom (do you have your tickets yet?). All week, I have had the privilege of sitting in the house while our cast, crew, and production team have brought all of the different pieces and parts of their work together on stage and off. While your focus as an audience member is likely on our cast, I’ve gotten to see the hard work of our lighting designers and techs, our audio team, our scenic staff and volunteers, teenagers and St. Lukers giving of their time as spotlight operators, stage hands, costume coordinators, and so much more. Theatre is, unquestionably, a team sport.
I’ve now been at St. Luke’s for 8 years, and The Prom will mark my 20th Theatre at St. Luke’s production to support. And when I think about the magic that we have the privilege to make with this ministry, more and more over these years I have focused on the incredible talents of those less-visible roles. Seeing a scene rehearsed and then seeing it with full costumes is a totally different experience. Watching a group rehearse a song and then seeing how lighting or scenery brings the emotion and depth to life is a game changer.
As disciples, all too often we think about discipleship in terms of what has been called “main character energy,” thinking about the prominent ways that faith can be lived out. And yet, for most of us, the role God has called us to play in the world is not the main character. Chances are, your discipleship is lived out in less center-stage ways; and yet, the work you are called to do is essential to revealing the Kingdom of God.
This Sunday, we will be talking about the second General Rule of our Methodist tradition: “Do all the good you can.” We often focus on the words “all” or “good” in that sentence, and we miss the key word: “you.” What is the good you are called to do, with your unique gifts, your unique passions, your unique skill set and life experience, and in the particular contexts you find yourself in?
Once we have ensured we are approaching our work so that we “First, do no harm,” then what? Join me this Sunday in worship as we explore what it means to not just avoid harm, but to do good – your particular good that God has called you to do.
Blessings,
Pastor Melissa
