Cathedral Characters: Love of an Incarnate God

You may have heard Christie Fleming talk about stewardship yesterday. Meet her in the latest Cathedral Character profile.

Christie Fleming reminds me of a cool, older cousin; she’s someone you want to hang out with. She’s full of life, energy, ideas, kindness, intelligence and a beauty that emanates from within. Deeply spiritual, this spiritual director always has time for a chat in spite of her demanding schedule as a hospice chaplain. After talking with her for a spell, I feel as though I’ve been touched by the love of an incarnate God.

1. Tell me about a meaningful community experience you have had in the Cathedral.
Only one?! It was during a wedding. I had just finished helping the procession up the aisle when a homeless man walked into the back of the sanctuary. He asked me what was going on, and I told him that two people were committing themselves to each other in the presence of God and the people who love them. I invited him to sit in the back pew with me to watch, with the caveat that he promise to be very quiet. We sat together through the ceremony and he cried a bucket. I gave him a box of Kleenex. It felt like there were two sacraments going on at once.

2. What kinds of things do you do that help you draw near to God or God's people?
I am a fan of the Ignatian Examen of Consciousness. Taking time at the end of my day to review what happened, my response, and where I find God in the midst of it all keeps me grounded and helps me to make better choices. It's also important for me to keep a good sense of humor; I am both wonderfully made and decidedly imperfect. And I do a lot of listening.

3. What is a book/film/song you think everyone should read/see/hear and why?
The movie "Babette's Feast" is a favorite of mine. It's the story of how the power of simple, tangible things like delicious food and a warm house and a beautiful table change the heart of a community. It turns out that the physical is important after all. That's why I'm grateful for an incarnate God.

4. At this particular moment in history, what in your mind is the most important work the church can be doing?
To do the work Jesus told us to do. To take care of each other, to include everyone in the fold, and to help each other tap into the power of God's intimate love for us individually. I wish we would offer our hand out more often to our brothers and sisters of different faiths, with an eye toward greater appreciation and respect for one another. We keep trying to put God in a box, to define the ultimate mystery, forgetting the importance of the mystery itself.

5. Anything else you would like to add about your life at St. Paul's Cathedral?
When I came to St. Paul's, I had sprouted flight feathers, but didn't know what to do with them. The Cathedral community told me I could fly, then kicked me off the cliff. I am forever indebted!

Hannah Miller writes Cathedral Characters, an occasional series about people in the Cathedral community. If there's someone you'd like to hear about, drop a note for Hannah in the comments!