November 19th, 2006 - Installation Service of Pastor Mark Beatty

Many at Creator have looked forward to this installation for some time. It was a noteworthy and memorable service. A parallel that came to mind was Pastor Amanda's Ordination service which took place at Creator. There were similarities and definite differences.

The biggest difference is that Amanda's Ordination was filled with what was dear to her and certainly anticipated her call to Ascension Lutheran. This service was, at heart, a Creator service and became an enthusiastic community welcome to Pastor Mark. The youth participation with the song Go Light The World and Luke's piano solo of Mendelssohn's Three Fantasies Or Caprices, Op. 16: II. Scherzo: Presto gave the service an urgency and feel for mission. Both pieces were beautifully performed.

A tie that binds can be humor and there was a defining moment that knit Creator together in this service. Bishop Paul Swanson reminisced about the inception of Creator and planning where it should be. He told a story about how he took a sociologist out to I-205 and Sunnyside to get a perspective on whether this was a suitable area to build a church.

The sociologist replied "This is perfect. I guarantee that even if the pastor of a church at this location recited nursery rhymes for sermons a church in this place will grow". There was a ripple of appreciative laughter and then the congregation, who had heard Pastor Mark's sermon earlier which opened with Little Red Riding Hood, began laughing harder. Bishop Swanson was a bit puzzled by the laughter. "It is one on of those things you remember," he added. I can't help but agree.

It was powerful when all the pastors and Bishop Swanson blessed Pastor Mark. Pastor Mark's comments reflected how deeply he was moved by the installation service to that point. There was a special quality to the communion as well. Sometimes communion can feel ancient and new at the same time and this was one of those times for me.

People commented during the reception afterwards on the planning and work that went into it. There were tableclothes and candleholders on all the tables and, with simplicity, there was an elegant atmosphere created. The appetizers, desserts and the other food was excellent. Our slices of cake had crosses on them, a fitting reminder of what was at the heart of what was important in the service that we had just experienced.