Mtr Taylor Devine

Dear Friend,

When I was in seminary I worked closely with a classmate, who became a best friend, on many gardening projects. We worked our way up from two weedy patches to seven demonstration gardens. Each was mapped out, workdays were shared, intergenerational engagement was fostered, it was a great part of the overall commitment to community, place-making and equipping for ministry that was a part of the informal education of the seminary environment. Robin went to college to become a farmer of grapes used for wine (viticulture!), and she worked as a farmer off and on in her 20s until she became a Missionary through the Young Adult Service Corps of the Episcopal Church. “YASCers” are placed around the world based on their skills and the international connections across the Anglican Communion (Older adults and couples can participate too, it’s just called something different.) She worked in Liberia and in South Sudan sharing things she eventually shared with me - “Robin’s favorite seven benefits of mulch!” “How to write a United Thank Offering grant!” “How to use compost everywhere!” and “How to learn to love where God has called you!” She is a very enthusiastic person, as you can see!

Her stories from her time abroad were many, and she shared with me the kind of discipling that informal formation can do. When you spend “40 woman hours” together in one week on a big mulching project, there is time for the sharing of truths, hardships, and ways God has formed you. One story she told was from her time in the US, when she came upon a scary situation and called on Jesus. It was just that, perhaps no more prayer than "Please, Jesus” or “I know your presence, Jesus.” At first hearing, I admit I thought, “this sounds a little crazy.” But she was my friend, and I trusted her experience. I have since gotten a sense of what she meant, that the name of Jesus, even the name, has power. In fearful or overwhelming situations, even the name claims a kind of spiritual power. In the Gospel of Luke, when the woman touched Jesus and received her healing and wholeness, that was all that it took, a touch.

We gather in the name of Jesus, are transformed by the name of Jesus and sent to serve in the name of Jesus, so it's funny that claiming that can feel so hard. It's a relief to claim the truth, though, that God would choose to be so very close through Christ.

"Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me." When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:46-48)

In Christ,
Mtr. Taylor