It is a tradition in the service of ordination for a colleague to offer the "right hand of fellowship" to one crazed enough to enter the fold of ordained ministry. It is a gesture of welcome and embrace, of encouragement and salutation. it is also a transmission of tradition—into a journey like no other.
With your hands you will shepherd pages and pages of thoughts, yearnings, entreaties and celebration that will weave into your sermons, your prayers, your invocations and your presentations.
Your hands will cradle babies in dedication to behold the wonder of creation. And hold the hands of those who are dying—finding your way to a presence that you did not know on your own. Your will clap to rhythms and drum drums, Dive into potlucks and serve in emergency shelters. Your hands will be raised in praises and protests. They will wipe away tears of bitter struggle and deep joy. Tears of disappointment and true compassion. Yours are hands that will be needed from time to time to reach out to other colleagues, to hold them in their journey and accept their help with your own. Your hands will bless, over and over, when given freely, with love, gratitude, humility and awe. Just as I have the privilege of offer my hand now to you in fellowship.