Rev. Canon Richard Hall Celebrating ministry together for 25 years was the focus of the St. Philip's Episcopal Church commemoration last Wednesday, with the rector, the Rev. Canon Richard Hall. Also shown, the Right Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Bishop of the Maine Episcopal Diocese. (Photo Greg Foster)

``It's like watching a rose. You watch it as it buds and then you watch it come into full bloom,'' the Rev. Canon Richard Hall said, reflecting on his 25 years as rector of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Wiscasset. ``It's been an absolute joy.''

Sticking with it in down times as well as during high points, Father Hall said he has seen much growth in his church and in the community.

He described the experience he has had as a journey of faith which he and his parish have taken together toward wholeness and shared ministry.

``I really did experience healing in the early years in this congregation,'' he told church members and guests from the community at a special service and dinner last Wednesday.

``Some say I brought acceptance, but I assure you it is a gift I learned from the congregation.''

Using words from a song selected for the service, he described the life he has had with his wife Ellen, his children, and the congregation: ``I Have Felt the Touch of God.''

``Thank you for being a people for whom love is primary.''

The Right Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Bishop of the Maine Diocese, shared her sentiments as celebrant for the occasion. ``Just as much as a priest forms a community of faith, a community of faith forms a priest. Thank you, congregation, for doing a good job.''

When Father Hall arrived on the scene, the church building was condemned.

In a humorous vein, member Jon Young told of an incident reported in the church records in August of 1976. It read, ``A family of raccoons has taken up residence between the Head Start ceiling and the first floor of the parish hall. The leaks have been the animals, not the pipes.''

A later entry in September of 1976 reported without comment, ``The coons are gone.''

Adding his own thanks, Young said, ``I enjoy having you as my minister, but most of all, my wife and I want to thank you and Ellen for being our friend.''

As Father Hall recalled his years in Wiscasset, he talked about the times of conflict as well as joy.

``I have attempted to be open and that means you have to risk something,'' he said. ``It means being real with each other in a way that has developed intimacy.''

The kinds of relationships he envisioned led to growth in the church membership, as people ``discovered their own ministry, or calling.''

He suggested two reasons that people in Wiscasset responded to his ideas. One is the steady influx of new people from other areas. A second reason is the number of people who are ``like-minded in ministry: willing to be trained to assist and take over various areas of church ministry.''

As examples, he talked about the lay readers who officiate at morning prayer services and the people who are in charge of programs like the Help Yourself Shelf ministry, which was started by one church member.

``They have real responsibility and accountability,'' he said. ``This is a unique congregation. They have not only grasped what is offered, but are excited about the possibilities.''

One of the programs he instituted at the church which has fostered that kind of eagerness to minister is the Education for Ministry. He has overseen it for the Maine Episcopal Diocese. It is a program developed at the University of the South in Swanee, Tennessee. Once clergy-directed, it is now entirely directed by the parishioners, both at his church and at the diocesan level.

The object of the program is to present the core curriculum of a seminary education. Initially he had 5 to 7 in the congregation. Now there are about 19 members involved.

``Now I have to make sure my sermons are theologically correct. There's a dialogue now in the congregation, and it's a wonderful dialogue. We couldn't have had that 20 to 25 years ago.''

Some decided to go on to the ordination stage. Two have become deacons, one is a priest, and another is a minister serving a United Church of Christ church.

``The congregation identifies somebody who might be called out for ordained ministry,'' he said.

But the ministry at St. Phillips is defined in broader terms, making use of people's talents and gifts both among the congregation and beyond.

``We're not afraid to call forth gifts from the congregation, to find God's purpose for their lives,'' he said. ``Most of the time people identify what they are doing as what their ministry is.''

In other words, many members minister through their jobs and various positions they hold in the community, county, and state, he said. Even on the walls and bathroom mirrors there is the ever-present question before people: ``How can St. Philip's help you with your ministry?''

Programs that have involved the church with the community are numerous, such as the Genesis Fund, which provides housing for individuals and families in transitional situations. It was a cooperative effort with Coastal Enterprises, Inc. in Wiscasset.

The church for almost 25 years has housed the Head Start program as its provision for the community.

Church members also began a mother-to-mother mentoring program as well as the Help Yourself Shelf food ministry to area families in need.

Several years ago, members began the Latch Key Ministry to help provide a safe place for children who would be home alone after school.

Plans are underway for a new ministry for the youth of the community. ``We want to provide a safe place for young people,'' he said.

Church members, adults and teens, will lead the ministry for middle and high school age youths with the help of a professional youth leader. It will include six computers available for their use.

Father Hall looks to the future of the church with optimism. He gives two reasons: ``I know the Lord is doing something new, and we have everything we need to accomplish it.''

As his source he referred to words from the New Testament, ``See, I am making all things new'' and ``It is done!''