Friday, March 14, 2003

By DAVID EPPS
Pastor

THURSDAY MORNING, 1 a.m. I have just returned home from a profound and moving experience. But first, some background.

It has been several years since I officiated at the wedding of David and Joanne Neece. Over the years, they have grown in grace and in God and, today, David is an ordained minister working with the children and youth of our church. He is employed by Delta Technologies and is a student at both Clayton College & State University and St. Michael's Seminary. Joanne serves in several positions of responsibility and has her hands full with a house full of young children.

It has been my privilege to be present at the birth of the first three Neece children: Elizabeth, Nathan, and Caleb. Oh, I wasn't actually in the birthing room, but I was present at the hospital prior to the birth of each child. Shortly after each arrival, I blessed the newborn Neece, anointed him or her with oil, and prayed the first prayer over each child.

But this is the norm at our church. Since our church was founded six and one half years ago, there has never been a day that someone wasn't expecting a child. In fact, we have five (or is it six?) women who are pregnant at the moment. With very rare exception, I have been at the hospital for each birth and have blessed, anointed, and prayed over each boy or girl.

Last week, David and Joanne were scheduled to go into Southern Regional for the birth of their fourth child. Due to some complications, the baby was to be "turned" and labor was to be induced. My mother died two weeks ago and my presence was required in Tennessee on the day the baby was scheduled for birth. Joanne was very distressed that I wouldn't be present at the birth of their child and, frankly, so was I. But, still, I had to be away. When David and Joanne arrived at the hospital on the appointed day, they were told that the baby had turned on its own and were sent home without labor being induced.

On Wednesday (yesterday at the time of this writing) at 8:30 a.m., they checked into the hospital and the birth process began. I stayed in touch by telephone and arrived at the hospital around 4 p.m. Progress was very slow and, over time, Joanne's support team Randy McGilvray, Heather Haskin, and Dawn Dickerson also arrived at Southern Regional.

Late in the evening, some complications, which required prayer on my part and action by the medical team, were experienced. There were a couple of scary moments. Finally, about 11:15 p.m., it appeared that this baby was ready to come. David and Joanne sent a member of the support team to find me and ask me to come into the birth room and be physically present at the birth of their child. Of course, ministers are not usually asked to be in the delivery room. I have only been asked one other time, but the necessity of a Caesarian section pre-empted my being present at that birth.

Joanne said, ""If something happens and we need prayer, I want you right here with me."

"Are you sure?" I asked. Both David and Joanne nodded in the affirmative.

So, I took my place at the head of the bed and held Joanne's right hand or shoulder as she pushed and relaxed, pushed and relaxed. While she was modestly covered, when the baby was born several minutes later, I was able to see David catch the baby and I heard his first cry. Jacob William Neece arrived at 11:38 p.m. weighing eight pounds, eleven ounces, and sporting a length of 18 1/2 inches. Joanne cried, I cried, and David beamed with pride. The support team mostly cried, too, when they weren't filming the event or taking pictures.

A bit after midnight, I held Jacob in my arms, anointed him with oil, gave thanks over him, and, in my capacity as his priest, blessed him in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I imagine that we will baptize him on Easter Sunday, along with a couple of other new arrivals.

Twenty-two years ago this month, I was present at the birth of my third son. I was away in the Marines when my oldest was born and hospital rules prevented me from being present at the birth of son number two. Jacob William Neece is the only other birth I have witnessed and I felt that I was present at the unfolding of a miracle. When I thanked David and Joanne for the honor granted to me, Joanne said, "You are family and you are our spiritual father. We wanted you here."

A few years ago, a young pastor asked me, "When do you get to the point that you don't have to make hospital calls?" I replied, "Why would you not want to be with your people in the hospital? Why would you want to farm that out?" After all, it's not every day that a family asks you to be part of a miracle!

[Father David Epps is rector of Christ the King Charismatic Episcopal Church, which meets at 10 a.m. Sundays at 4881 E. Hwy 34. He may be contacted at 770-252-2428, at FatherDavidEpps@aol.com or at www.ctkcec.org.]

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