The Writings of Rev. Mandy S. Flemming
Associate Minister of Christian Education & Spiritual Formation

Sects and the City
The Remarks, July 31, 2007

Well, here I am. I’ve officially completed my first month at Saint Mark, and I feel, in some ways, as if I have always been here. The love, kindness, hospitality, and warmth that you have extended to me and my family has been overwhelming. I pray that I speak for you, as well, but this feels like a very good match. (Bishop Davis, if you’re reading this… thank you!)

In some ways, this is very much like the start of a new relationship for me. We had a few good first dates where we asked all the right questions and made sure that we took things slow in the beginning, and now, we’re in it for the long haul, diving in head first and overwhelmed with hope for the future and great expectations. I’m telling my friends that this is what I always pictured as a little girl – you’re affirming, kind, good looking, and you make me laugh. I’ve already introduced you to my mama, and she loves you. I’ve gotten the friend-approval, and I’m already planning the names of our children (what do you think about Avery?) and thinking about our vacation homes (definitely a place in the mountains, near a lake).

Now, I know from experience that we’ll have our bumps along the road, but I’m too starry-eyed with wonder at how good this is to be too worried about the future when we realize that my inability to iron and your loathing of housework will cause a rift. Instead, I want to plan a seven course meal, and commune with you, talk about our dreams and invite all of our friends. For now, we can focus on the things we share, our commonalities, our goals, our dreams, our purpose in this church.

My predecessor, Kimberly, is the one who turned me on to the popular HBO show from which I have punned the title of this article. I can’t help but think of her, my friend, as I go about my days here, watching as amazing and wonderful things happen before my very eyes. This is a church that models the Gospel. Not perfectly, but we try. We feed the hungry, we clothe the naked, we welcome in the afflicted. We sing with full voices, we listen to the Word proclaimed, we teach our children, and, more than anything, we love as God has called us to love. Also, we have a lot of fun. You might be surprised (or not) at how many churches have forgotten to delight in the world that God has created. I looked up the definition of “sect,” and found this: “a small close-knit group with strongly held views that are sometimes regarded as extreme by the majority.” I think we fit that description, friends. Let us be regarded as extreme – extreme in how we love, share, serve, and laugh together. Let us be extreme in the ways in which we try to bring this world one step closer to the Kingdom of God. Let us be extreme in our attempts to be like Christ. This is my prayer for us as we begin our ministry together: extreme love, extreme service, extreme devotion to the One who created us all.

Love, Mandy