First services for the Rev. Casey Collins

The Rev. Casey Collins began her new ministry in the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church, leading two services on July 9. It was the beginning of a journey for both the third-generation minister and the congregation she will guide.

Throughout both services, the Rev. Collins followed the message from Mark 6:7-13 and explained, “I am looking forward to getting to know you on our journey together and I’m excited to find out where God is leading us together.

“Are we all ready to journey together with Jesus?”

Using another scripture reading, the Rev. Collins spoke about “journeying to a Perfect Church.” While almost everyone agreed the Cape church is by no means perfect, the Rev. Collins concluded, “This is our journey toward perfection and I have a feeling something is about to happen here.”

To punctuate her point, Casey read from the poem “The Perfect Church” (author unknown):

I think that I shall never see

a Church that’s all it ought to be;

A Church whose Deacons always Deke

And none is proud but all are meek;

Where gossips never peddle lies

Or make complaints or criticize;

Where all are always sweet and kind

And all to other’s faults are blind.

Such perfect Churches there may be,

But none of them are known to me.

But still we’ll work, and pray and plan

to make our own Church the best we can!

During Children’s Time at the second service, Casey talked about finding a friend for comfort whenever you’re afraid or anxious. Casey explained that one such “friend” for her is a much-loved stuffed (many times) dog she was given by her grandfather when she was 3. The dog’s name is Wendy and Casey pulled Wendy from a basket during the service and shared held her lovingly to show all the children.

Afterward, Casey told the children, “There’s also another friend you can always turn to when you’re afraid — God is with us, too.”

Welcome, Casey Collins!