Remembering Jim Sell

 

James W.H. Sell was one of the first people to recognize my call to ordained ministry.  He was the rector of Christ & St. Luke's, the church I attended in Norfolk. starting in 1994, a year after moving to Virginia.  At the time I was a "stealth parishioner," slipping in for the 10:15 service and ducking out after Communion to get to my job as a stage manager at Virginia Stage Company.  I participated in some Under the Hill young adult gatherings and a few Christian formation events when I could, but other than that, I didn't have much time for church activities.

I loved going to Christ & St. Lukes - when I discovered it, I fell in love because it looked so much like the chapel at my alma mater, Sewanee.  And the music program!  Architecture and music may not be the best reasons to go to church, but they topped my list.  Once I started attending, I realized the third blessing - the clergy, Jim and Win.  They both gave excellent sermons that spoke to me, and I could feel their warmth and kindness even in my position as stealth parishioner.  At the back door, Jim would greet me with, "How's the play?" and I would tell him that I enjoyed his sermon.  Other than one phone call in which I told him I was too busy to participate in many church activities, we didn't have much one on one interaction.

In the year 2000, I went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the Passion Play with my church.  That began my wondering about a possible call to be a priest.  One morning about 7 months after the trip, Jim came up to me as I was walking down the aisle and asked me if I would be part of a "Nudgee" group of women that he was putting together to explore the possibility of seminary.  Speechless that he had read my mind, I simply looked at him.  He told me to call him later that week, and I did.  Thus began my journey to becoming a priest.  It took awhile, and Jim and I got to know each other much better.  He was my priest, not just my mentor.  He was there for me in some really low times.  He read some of my short stories and said I had to get published.  He was always on my side.  He invited me to be part of the pastoral care team, the only thing that happened weekly on Mondays, my day off from the theatre.  I learned so much being part of that team.  

Jim was a presenter at my diaconal ordination.  I hadn't seen him since before Covid, at Bishop Susan's consecration.  We took a selfie that day, and I enjoyed one of his characteristic bear hugs, a chat, and plenty of laughter.  Little did I know that a month later I would get sick with Covid.  I haven't seen Jim since then.   

Yesterday I learned that Jim died in his sleep over night on Friday.  The tears keep welling up in my eyes as I think about all that he meant to me and to all of us who attended CSL during his years as rector there.  I am so grateful I was there then.  I am so grateful for his ministry, his humor and optimism, his big ole heart, his encouragement, and his sermons.  Most of all, I will always be grateful that he saw a call in this shy little theatre person who lurked at the edges of his congregation, and that he invited me to explore that call.  My life has never been the same.  

Rest in peace, Jim.  May your heart and soul now ring out in joy to the One you served so well, the living God, and the God of those who live. You made a difference.  Servant, well done.