Christ Episcopal Church
	Riverton, New Jersey
	Sacred treasures, old and new October 2005 Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore, every scribe who has been trained for the Kingdom of Heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old" (Matthew 13:52). There is a spot in the Rectory where I have a clear view of both the kitchen and the dining room. The kitchen is brand new and beautiful, and is equipped with all the modern appliances: a digital stove, a microwave oven, a refrigerator with icemaker, a dishwasher. It is bright, with plenty of counter space to work on, and lots of cabinets to keep things organized. On the other hand, our dining room furniture is only a decade or two younger than the house. Hand carved from Honduras mahogany around 1880, and handed down in my wife Anne’s family, it includes a china closet, a six foot long buffet, a server, large chairs and a table with six leaves. Every piece was clearly made with great care and craftsmanship. It looks magnificent in its new home. With the kitchen and the dining room set, I feel we will have the best of both the old and the new. I would not (nor I suspect anyone else reading this) like to have a kitchen from the same era as the dining room furniture. The rectory might have had running hand-pumped (cold) water, a wood stove and an ice box. It would be lit (if we were lucky) by gas. On the other hand, we really couldn't get a 'modem' dining room set that shows the quality and craft our antique one has, even if we could afford it! So we benefit from what is the best, be it old or be it new, and I would guess that few of us would want it any other way. I feel that this description of our home is an illustration of Jesus' comment quoted by St. Matthew’s. I also believe that my priestly role is much like that of that scribe. I too have been given treasures to share as a part of my ministry among you at Christ Church, the gifts of God which are both old and new. I have the Gospel to proclaim, a message which is ancient, but is ever made new through the Holy Spirit. I am well versed in and love the traditions of the Church, but am also willing and able to try different things in order to bring others to Christ. I have been in some kind of church leadership for 30 years, yet I am new to Riverton, which means that every member of Christ Church has a clean slate in their relationship with me, and I see things here with a fresh gaze. Our parish is old – 150 to be precise and she has a glorious tradition illumined with the memory of great Christian people, both ordained and lay, whose work and sacrifices for the Kingdom of God in this place must not be forgotten. But our parish is also as new as the youngest baby brought to Christian life in baptism at our ancient marble font, and thus we get a glimpse of the future, to the next sesquicentennial as well. AAs Jesus suggests, the best of all possible worlds is one which offers the right mix of the old and the new. So as we peruse our ministries together in this place, let us joyfully anticipate and gladly enjoy the many treasures, traditional and modern which our good and bountiful God lays before us in such abundance. SSee you in church??!!