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How do you know who you are? Growing up around Goodman, Mississippi, we knew people for generations and were known by our families, friends, and where we went to church. These days our identities seem to be shaped and curated online through what we promote and show of ourselves through the windows of our Facebook feeds and posts. Perhaps we are looking for ourselves these days in the brands we buy or the teams we support.
But what is our identity? I argue that our relationships define our identity.
Last week, we considered how to write a Rule of Life. In the first section, we examined and listed the roles we play and our primary relationships, and in the second section how we would want to live those roles. The first and second exercise set forces us to examine our lives through our roles and relationships and forces us to make clear statements about who we are and who we want to be.
One of the key reasons for doing this in the Rule of Life is that we are always both creating our identity and having our identity shaped by the world around us. We shape who we are by what we think and reinforce. And we are being taught who we are by the media we listen to, watch, and scroll through.
Last week, Henri and I were listening to an audiobook in the car, a murder mystery, and the cop in the center of the story was standing before her father’s tomb talking to him, but “of course, no one replied.” In the next few minutes, that phrase pair, “of course, no one,” was repeated five times. The book was not the greatest story ever told, but it clearly said something about what the author thought about the afterlife, “of course, no.” The book reinforces a materialist world. While driving to school, Henri and I had a long talk about our world, what we assume about it, and our hope in Christ.
A materialist world is reduced to only what is measurable and does not include a god who is not measurable. And we are, if we are smart materialists, not believers in anyone out there, of course. That is what my audiobook was reinforcing to my son and me over and over again.
It is one example, but we are surrounded by ideas that are shaping what we, of course, assume. The ideas that make their way into our unspoken assumptions define who we are. In writing our own Rule of Life, we take back our creative power to define our identity. When we reclaim our sense of identity, how we name who we are is vital.
I begin my rule of life with “I am a man of God.” That is a bold claim, and I share it with some qualms. I want to add that I know that I am learning and trying and am not perfect, but that is my primary statement of identity. It comes first on the list. I am not a materialist.
What comes first on your list? How are you living out your identity day by day, week by week, and year by year? How do you reinforce the truth of your identity in God, in Christ, as a person of the Holy Spirit?
Next week, we will examine how our identity shapes our intentions and how to put these into concrete practice.
Living with a Rule sets out a direction and a course. Our identity sets our direction; our choices then mark out our course. Is it my way or the Way of Christ?
Either way, I will see you along the Way.
The Diocesan House renovations are almost finished, just in time as we get ready to welcome the Diocese to Convention and our 100th Anniversary. As we consider the last hundred years, we look at what has been best about our legacy and what we carry into the next century of service to our Lord.
The bishop was at Trinity Cathedral for a mid-week confirmation and reception service this week, and he will be at St. David’s in Columbia this coming Sunday.
We are sad to announce the passing of Father Charles Cannon, a long-time priest of the diocese and faithful Christian. Let us keep his family, friends, and parishes in prayer as we rejoice in his return to his Lord and ours. May he rest in peace and rise in Glory. Father Gary Eichelberger's pastoral note is included below.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of our beloved former rector, Father Charles Cannon, Jr., who died at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson early yesterday morning. Please pray also for the consolation of his family and friends, especially his children, Charles+ (III), Michael+, Caroline, and Sterling; his sister, Libby; and all of his grandchildren.
After receiving word of Fr. Cannon's death, Fr. Jack Hardaway (of Grace Episcopal in Anderson) and I were able to gather at Fr. Cannon's bedside and offer prayers of commendation and anoint his body on behalf of the church and his fellow clergy of this diocese. I have also had the opportunity to share the news of Fr. Cannon's death with our current and former bishops as well as several former Saint Andrew's rectors, who are all joining us in praying for the repose of Fr. Cannon's soul and the comfort of all who mourn his death.
As mentioned in an earlier e-mail to the parish soliciting prayer on his behalf, Fr. Cannon served as priest at Saint Andrew's from 1991 through 1996, which was a time of health and growth in the life of our parish. Among the significant developments during Fr. Cannon's leadership was the restoration of Saint Andrew's status as a parish of the diocese in October 1994 after many years in mission status, a renovation and expansion of our historic pipe organ, and the acquisition of the Shrine of our Lady of Walsingham located in the church.
In his life as an ordained priest, Fr. Cannon served a number of other parishes and missions throughout both South Carolina and Florida. In addition to his time at Saint Andrew's, his service in this Diocese of Upper South Carolina included ministry at the following parishes and missions: Church of the Nativity, Union; Calvary Church, Glenn Springs; Trinity Church, Abbeville; and Christ Church, Greenville. Moreover, in the years prior to his call to Saint Andrew's, Fr. Cannon served on the staff of United Ministries, where he helped establish and manage the Place of Hope day shelter.
Since, after his retirement from full-time ministry, Fr. Cannon was a faithful participant in the life and worship of Saint Andrew's, I know that many of us share numerous fond memories of Fr. Cannon. Upon my own arrival at Saint Andrew's six years ago, I quickly learned that one of the great joys of serving here was the regular opportunity to be greeted by Fr. Cannon as he departed Sunday mass. Many (if not all) of those greetings involved exuberant and dramatic praise for the worship that we had just experienced together. On more than one occasion, I recall him grabbing my hands and exalting, "Father, the angels in heaven are rejoicing after that glorious mass!"
Today, I am confident that the angels in heaven are likewise rejoicing as they receive him into the courts of their heavenly dwelling place--and that Fr. Cannon's heart and soul are now ringing out in joy to God.
A Requiem Mass for Fr. Cannon is being planned to take place at Saint Andrew's at a future date. Once we have determined the specific time and date of that mass, we will send a follow-up e-mail to the parish.
In the days ahead, if you are so moved, I would invite you to share your memories of Fr. Cannon and your reflections on his life and ministry with me.
May Fr. Cannon's soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. (BCP, p. 502)
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