Then, I SMILED!

by Patricia Singletary

edited by Bob Terwilliger, spring 2023

I woke up early this morning, still in my bed, turned my head toward the window, saw the sun shining through the blinds, heard birds singing outside, and stretched a little, with hands raised in the air. I sighed, then, I SMILED.

No early morning community meetings, no sick and shut- in visitations, no all-day/all-night sermon preparations. No more loose-leaf notebooks, full of sermons (over 25 years’ worth), self-created inspirational devotionals, and self-created training materials, for officers and members of the church. I’m in reflection mode. I sighed, then, I SMILED.

Remembering… I reached the RCA mandatory age of retirement, submitted, and received acceptance by the classis to retire, with their emotional expressions of love and gratitude for faithful service to church and classis (I formerly served as president and congregational chair). But the officers and members of the church decided they wanted me to stay longer and offered a contract. I accepted. There was still some unfinished church business that needed to be attended to. I remembered, then, I SMILED.

Then, four contracts later, the Lord spoke to my heart, “No more contracts. May 15 is the date you will notify the consistory.” I shared my decision with my family. They asked if the church was planning a retirement celebration. I responded that I hadn’t heard of any preparations. “We’ll take care of it!” they spoke in agreement. I remembered fondly, then, I SMILED.

I remembered that great day—family and friends from across the country and world (including a Liberian chief) came to celebrate my service to the Lord. Over 150 guests came to say some kind words. And when the music played, my great- granddaughter came to the center of the floor to dance with me. I thought about that, and then, I SMILED.

And when I went back to my former church, they stood to their feet, welcomed me back, and applauded. I remembered, then I SMILED, and went back to sleep.

Patricia received an AA from the University of Virginia, a BS from Empire State College (SUNY), an MDiv and DMin from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, a ThB and MRE from the Manhattan Bible Institute. For 34 years, she was an underwriting securities specialist for the Depository Trust Clearing Corporation on the New York Stock Exchange. She was the first woman pastor at Elmendorf Reformed Church, the oldest church in the village of Harlem, New York. Patricia lives in Springfield Gardens, New York. elmendorfchurch@ outlook.com