Reflections from our new Interim Pastor, Merritt Greenwood

Life is full of surprises. 

On a weekend get away last March John, my partner and I drove through Middlebury for the first time. As we did a quick windshield tour through town we both commented that St. Stephen’s looked like a wonderful church and that this would be a wonderful place to live.  But we should put that passing thought out of our heads.

Now it is August. What we thought impossible in March has come to pass.  As wonderful as the community looked then I never dreamed that we would be entering it now.  Once again, I have learned the lesson of never say never, because in that moment God begins chuckling.

I want to take this occasion to informally introduce myself and my family; to answer the questions which cannot be asked during the interview process.

St. Stephen’s is the fifth congregation I have served as an interim.  Interim ministry is deeply satisfying; it is truly energizing to work with a community as it seeks to discern the future shape of its ministry.  Part of the process is to work with the community as it evaluates its past and considers its future.  Another component of the ministry is learning to know the patterns, the energy of the wider community and help discern how the parish can be an effective witness in that context.  Finally, the great reward is to see a community poised to embark on its future ministry with confidence and hope.

The question “where are you from?” is deceptively complicated.  I was raised in the army.  I was born in Fayetteville, NC and raised in places across the nation and in Europe.  As we were unpacking the condo on Otterside it dawned on me that this will be the 29th place I have called home.  So in response to this question I will give you three answers: I’m from Brattleboro (and yes, I know no true Vermonter will accept that answer), Cleveland is where I have spent ten years of my ministry, and Virginia is my emotional home.   I have become completely entranced with Vermont, and have difficulty understanding why anyone would want to live anywhere else.

I graduated with an AB in history from Kenyon College in 1977.  I continue to have an abiding passion for the value of a liberal education.  Following four bucolic years in Gambier I embraced the urban vigor of Episcopal Divinity School where I earned my MDiv in 1981.  As one might imagine both experiences have colored my reading tastes; I am particularly enthused reading the mass of new histories on the early republic and Tudor-Stuart England.  For light reading I’m a totally enthralled by a good murder mystery (especially the books by Tony Hillerman and Archor Mayor).

I met my partner, John 21 years ago in Worcester, MA.  He is a theatrical set designer and carpenter.  Also in the past two he has become an avid gardener.  John grew up in central Massachusetts and graduated from the University of Montana.

I have two daughters who are the absolute apple of my eye.  Elizabeth is beginning the second year of her work on an MFA in creative non fiction writing at Columbia.  Susannah is beginning her senior year at LaSalle University in Philadelphia.  My sister, Sallie lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Finally, in all of our travels we are in perpetual hunt for outstanding beer and barbecue.

I am excited to be with you for the interim journey.  The dedication and the energy of the community are impressive, and will be harnessed to discern God’s call to you for the future shape of the mission of the parish.

The Reverend Merritt Greenwood