By Bailey Roberts

 
Being called to youth ministry was not on my bingo card for 2025 (as the cool kids might say), but being here now, I can't imagine being anywhere else. This came about when Fr. Casey and I came at each other from left field on two separate occasions. During Lent I met with Fr. Casey to talk about a theology of Judas, to then word vomit my itching call to Ministry. About a month later, he parlayed it back to me, letting me know the Director of Youth Ministry position was open, subject line: "Idea." The subsequent interviews with Fr. Casey and Fr. Ted that led me here, became a series of introspection, personal grace, and dramatic change. How relevant those themes have become today.

Every Sunday morning in Children's Chapel, during Youth Formation, and in the pews of church, I see grace embodied. Afterall, as participants in the Body of God, we are participants in that embodiment of Grace that flows down through us. It is dynamic, tangible; it is seen, felt, and heard in the fullness that is Transfiguration. We walk in the front doors every Sunday intentionally, participating in every handshake, every warm "good morning!" to then all come together at the altar for Eucharist free of judgment, as we participate in the gifts of the Body of God, as the Body of God.

On Sunday, we'll hear about the parable of the unjust judge and the persistent widow in Luke's Gospel. Though the parable, broadly, is about the persistence of prayer, I think it's important to note where Grace can be found: in justice, rather than judgment. I think we can all relate to the widow in the parable too. I come from a family of some of the least patient people you will ever meet. Persistence is in our very nature, and patience takes a back seat as we seek instant results for the work we do. I'm sure I am not alone in this. As you enter and exit the church on Saturday or Sunday, I urge you to stop in the gathering space. Spend time with the "Boast-It Notes" you see stuck on the walls above the Saint John Bibles. These are works done over many years, with incredible patience.

On Wednesday evenings, the Fig Youth meet for Crossover, where we gather over Food, Faith, Fellowship, and Fun. These past couple weeks, the youth have been transcribing your "Boast-It" submissions onto the larger boast-it notes. It has given us a period to reflect on the ways in which you, this church, have embodied grace in the world and among the parish. Some of your actions have even inspired our youth to write their own ways in which they've embodied grace too! We embody grace every Wednesday evening together. We share stories from our week, offer guidance, celebrate each other in our successes, sit with each other in adversity, and we laugh. When we gather, the Youth Center is never quiet, and I am so thankful for that sound. As the youth become and change into young adults and begin leaving their mark on the world, grace follows them. If you've not interacted with our youth, I implore you to do so. They are some of Transfiguration's brightest, and I could not be prouder of who they are becoming.

Embodying Grace is embodying change. Change is hard, and I know that we are being confronted with it constantly in our daily lives. So, when change comes into the Church, it's the last place we ever want to be confronted by it! This year's Stewardship campaign is about Grace in its embodiment of change, of justice, of patience, of boasting about what we've accomplished together. Without those things, Transfiguration would not be the church we know today. As we continue to grow, as we continue to live and breathe and take shape in the Body of God's Grace, we will be vessels of that change for the world we live in. By God's Grace We… will continue to embody the community of grace filled Christians that we have built together.