The Stories We Tell

This week, I have been struck by all the ways we use storytelling to mark occasions of significance. On Sunday, our adult formation class pondered what kind of stories our obituaries might share. I read two obituaries from dear people (a friend and my dad) who wrote their own before dying. We wondered aloud how we would want to be remembered, what moments we might highlight, and what hopes we might express to the people we love. It was a beautiful conversation, and I love what I learned about the folks in the room.

On Tuesday, we celebrated our 8th grade St. Martin’s graduates, and again I heard so many stories. The graduation speaker, Lylah Dupcak, highlighted one memory from each teacher as a way of telling the story of her journey with gratitude and joy. For her classmates, the stories were a way of recalling what has brought them together through the years. For the rest of us, her stories were a glimpse into how St. Martin’s is making a difference in the lives of young people.

On Wednesday, the Lower and Middle school students gathered in the sanctuary for their Moving Up ceremony. This is a time when each teacher shares something encouraging to the class they have loved and taught with all their might, and then gives that class to the teacher who will care for them next year. We heard funny stories and stories of students persevering when faced with a challenge. For the students, the stories were meaningful reminders of who they are and how far they have come. For the rest of us, the stories were a window into a world of exploration and care.

Jesus told a lot of stories. He told stories because he knew that when he was gone, the stories would remain. Jesus knew the stories would remind his followers who they are. And we carry that tradition of storytelling with us in our worship every Sunday.

St. Martin’s has a story too—it's a story made up of hundreds of stories from hundreds of people over seventy years. Currently, we are working to capture the stories of everyone buried in our Memorial Garden. The vision is to compile short bios into a book that people can flip through to remember who we are and who we are becoming. We will add to the book in the years to come, retelling the stories of the people who have shaped us. If you are interested in collecting these stories, I hope you will call the front office and let us know.

This is how we remember. And this is how we will be remembered.

Today, I hope you will reflect with gratitude on the stories that have shaped you over the years. Today, I hope you will ponder the story you are writing with your life and how your story connects to God’s story of love.

~ The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Rector

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