#14, "Lord's Chapel"

 February 20, 2022

As I dreamed, schemed, and planned for this trip, there were two experiences that I didn’t want to miss out on.  The first was the Mitford Museum, which I was able to attend on my first day in Blowing Rock.  The second, and no less important, was attending a service at St. Mary’s of the Hills, Episcopal Church - aka, Lord’s Chapel.  As soon as I was able, I stopped by and checked to find out the service times.  The second service was at the unusual time of 10:10 am. 

St Mary's of the Hills, Episcopal Church

Sunday morning dawned bright and crisp.   I’d slept in so didn’t have time to go out for breakfast.  Instead, I reheated a muffin and strip of bacon that I’d put in the motel’s communal refrigerator and chased it down with a cup of coffee produced by their old-school percolator. 

It was chilly out as I practically sprinted down Main Street towards the stone edifice on the outskirts of town.  Having never been to an Episcopal church, I didn’t want to miss a minute.

St. Mary's - aka, Lord's Chapel

I admit to feeling a bit of a thrill as I faced the red, double-doored entrance for the first time.  I was looking for spiritual nourishment, so was intentionally visiting on the Lord’s Day, but I was also looking for connection.  Connection with people, but also connection to the whole Episcopal world that fits so largely into the greater Mitford experience.

As I came in the door (after donning the requisite mask), I was greeted, and handed a large-format, multi-sheeted service program.  The choir was still rehearsing in the rear of the nave as I made my way to a seat in my favorite location at any church, a few rows down, to the right of the aisle.  As I sat, I gazed around and took in the beauty of the old sanctuary, with its plethora of stained glass and rustic beams.

One of Many Sets of Stained Glass Windows

The inscription on the beam above me made me think of this scripture verse in Isaiah. “For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

The choir continued to work through their songs as people steadily arrived to take their places in the dark wooden pews.  I surreptitiously glanced around at the seated parishioners to ensure that I wouldn’t exhibit any behavior that would be too awkward.  I silently thanked Fr Tim for the hints he dropped through the years on proper episcopal behavior.  I also took to heart something that he said in Light From Heaven.  Since I don’t have a printed copy of the book in front of me, it will have to be a very loose quote.  He and his deacon, Agnes were trying to get the mountain church, Holy Trinity, up and running so were going about hill and dale inviting people to the service.  When someone told him that they were only accustomed to the Baptist service and were unsure how to act, He said, “A relationship with Jesus Christ is where it’s at.  Once we get that, we find that all the rest isn’t as important as we thought it was.”

For the most part, thanks to the bulletin and keeping an eye on those around me, I managed to sit, stand, kneel, and verbally respond, at the appropriate times in the service.  I figured out when to put the kneeler in place (a “naugahyde number” like Fr Tim ordered for Holy Trinity) and remembered not to use it as a handy footrest.  The celebrant was not Fr Tim.  The homily on forgiveness, however, did have “meat on the bone”.  Based primarily on the life of Joseph, it was very short, but meaningful.  I knew the majority of the hymns, and those I did not, were easy enough to follow, so I enjoyed the times of singing.

Entry Doors of St. Mary's of the Hills, Episcopal Church

I skipped the “Coffee Minute” in the fellowship hall that followed the service.  Instead, I lingered a bit and discreetly took pictures.  As I made my way out the door, I got to thinking about something.  Joseph not only forgave his brothers but talked with them and seemed to desire a rebuilding of their relationship.  However, his brothers we no longer a threat to him in any way.  He had the power discontinue the relationship at any time if he wasn’t comfortable with it and send them out of his life if he so chose.  We are commanded to forgive, that our Heavenly Father will then forgive us, but we forgive to set ourselves free of holding another in bondage.  However, in some situations it may not be advisable or healthy for us to resume a relationship with the one we forgive.

Historical Commemoration Marker for St Mary's of the Hills