PAVED PARADISE

During July, St. Michael’s received a fresh coat of “zebra stripes” — the white lines marking spaces for our parking lot. It was mesmerizing to behold the workers' precision and speed in painting the bright, clean lines that would soon welcome our St. Michael’s family back from summer adventures. In the midst of all this, the Rev. Jamie Pahl was preparing to embark on a journey of his own — a calling to All Saints Episcopal Church, Chevy Chase, Maryland — and it got him reflecting on, of all things, parking lots.

Iam a firm believer that the Church is you and me, “the people.” In a matter of moments, our building and property could blow down in a storm or be destroyed by fire. But, you know what? St. Michael’s would still be St. Michael’s. It would still be the church we love, because we would still gather in this spot as a faith-driven family, honoring and supporting each other, and worshiping the Almighty, life-giving

God. There is something to the power of what we see: the people, the physical property, the spaces where we gather — spaces which contain so many cherished memories. And, let us not forget the hallowed ground upon which we walk, where our loved ones are buried. It is all holy ground. St. Michael's — its buildings and grounds — is set apart for the holy life and work always before us. And, it is blessed.

One of the things that strikes me from personal experience, and for many of us going back decades, is the power of presence, especially when considering the lesser parts of the church property, which are also set apart as holy ground. And, as unusual as this thought may sound, I am specifically thinking about the parking lot — the way in and out of our spiritual home!

It may seem a little whimsical to write about asphalt, but, think about the symbolic nature of our parking lot. It is where we enter every week, coming back in from the mission field, as we seek — at the very least — to have our batteries charged for the sake of the Gospel. Every time we make the journey here, there is a place for us.

I recently viewed photos and an 8mm home movie of my younger brother’s baptism here in 1974. I was almost 3 years old as we gathered around the font with the Rev. Jim Beckwith for the ceremony. And, as is still done today, we moved out in front of the nave on the circle driveway for fellowship and conversation. Eager to release our squirming energy, my cousin Anna and I can be seen in the film racing around the circle until I fall and scrape my knee. The tears come and my Grandmother Pahl is the one to comfort me.

Seeing my young self and family so at home at St. Michael’s got me thinking about all the times I have spent outside of church, and how that sense of belonging informed my life’s trajectory. Attending choir practice on Wednesdays, youth group on Sundays, playing basketball with my church friends in the back of the parking lot reinforced my love of Christian community. I also learned to drive and practice parking a car in that parking lot. In the years to come, I would meet up with friends as we got cars of our own. It is a tradition for church and neighborhood kids that continues to this day. While parallel parking certainly did not bring me closer to Jesus, being in proximity to the church — a safe, familiar place — helped calm all nerves involved.

It has been said — and serves as a point of pride — that one of the nice things about St. Michael’s is the generous parking we have to offer. For isn’t that unto itself a welcoming symbol to our community, to the neighborhood, to our parish, and to visitors who discover our loving community? And on Sunday mornings and certain nights, cool evenings in the fall and special spring happenings, passersby can witness our welcoming spirit as our parking lot fills with worshipers for parish picnics, post-choir practice fun, Kona Ice trucks, youth and young family gatherings and activities, ECW Spring events, and so much more. And, let us not forget other special events such as hosting the Monday Night Parish Retreat with Bishop Curry, the glorious Evensongs and music concerts. We are recognized wide and far for this gift ... the very welcoming nature and presence of our parking lot and property.

Pulling out of the parking lot onto Canterbury Road for the final time was bittersweet to be sure. But I know I am leaving fortified — I’ve earned my stripes — and comforted as a child in his grandmother’s arms, knowing that no matter where we park ourselves, we take with us the sacred foundation that our church home provides.

Jamie grew up at St. Michael’s, Raleigh. He graduated from NC State, and after some years working in the for-profit world, he attended Virginia Theological Seminary, earning a Master in Divinity (M.Div.) and a Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.). He has served parishes in Wilmington, Oxford, and Raleigh, NC; and now he is the Rector at All Saints Church, Chevy Chase, MD/Washington, DC.