Loree and What’s in a Name?
What's in a Name?
Names are important. For those of us who are parents, and for those of us who are pet owners, the choosing of a name is a very important event. I remember my husband and I going through the book of names, trying to find a name for our son that we agreed upon. We chose the name David, which means beloved of God. How did you choose the names of your children?
In Genesis, Abraham begins life as Abram, or Avram. Avram means exalted father. When God gave Abraham the promise that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, God changed his name to Abraham, the father of many. Within this new name was the promise of God.
The Apostle Peter began life as Simon, which means listening. Simon did a good job of listening in the three years he walked with Jesus. In those final months, Jesus asked the disciples who they thought he was. Simon responded, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Upon that confession, Jesus changed Simon, listener, to Peter, rock. Because upon his confession the church would be built, and Peter would become a rock of strength after the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit.
What's in a Name?
We are in the process of naming our church. Many people submitted ideas for names to the Naming Committee, and on Pentecost Sunday, the Vestry whittled down the list to four - four names from which people will choose our new name. The Vestry worked hard to come up with four names that evoked the mission of our new church - past, present and future. Each of those names says something about who we have been, who we are, and who we hope to become.
In a few days, you will hear from the Naming Committee and choose one of the four as a name for our new parish. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit is, and will be at work in the process of naming. As you choose which name you feel is best for our church, I wonder how you hear the promise of God for our church in that name?
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