The Presentation of the Cross of St. Catherine’s

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Hale Sanders

The awarding of the Cross of St. Catherine is always a deeply meaningful act for me. I take seriously this responsibility and attempt to exercise it with forethought, integrity, and a healthy sense of joy.

The Cross is given in recognition of individuals who have significantly contributed to our life together and our mission to serve God in Jesus Christ. You will find a list of those who have received the Cross in years past and I hope you will agree that they have served St. Catherine’s with distinction.

The first of two Crosses this year goes to someone who has served St. Catherine’s in many capacities but during my time as Rector specifically this person has served our youth. And it is concerning this work that I would like to say a few words.

Whether it be mission trips or white water rafting; hiking in the North Georgia mountains or canoeing a river, this person has been a partner with and friend of our youth.

I traveled with him to West Virginia and spent a few nights on the floor in a middle school and even more time swinging a hammer and other unwieldily instruments doing home repairs in the “hollars” outside Charleston, West Virginia. What has always impressed me is his ability to think only the best of our young people. While many, including me at times, want to think the worst or think critically about our youth or their motives, this person always thinks the best and by doing so raises the moral tone of the conversation.

For me, however, the significant contribution this person has made to our youth is to create a program that has touched the lives of young men and women both inside and outside this congregation.

No one needs to tell you that our youth are growing up in an “unsteady and confusing world.” And they are doing so sometimes in breaking or broken homes, in difficult relationships and with an ever competitive environment. And sometimes mom and dad or mom or dad don’t completely understand. But for many young boys and girls Hale Sanders has tirelessly worked to create a mentoring program. His mentors – including himself – listen and coach, tutor and feed (spiritually; emotionally; physically), and join in fun and games (baseball games, hockey games).

Not only has Hale created and directed this program at St. Catherine’s, he has done so throughout our community and offered to do so for any Episcopal Church within the Diocese of Atlanta. Hale has unfailing hope in our youth and he has single handedly created a ministry that tries to make a difference. Sometimes – not often – he gets discouraged and then he remembers the difference this program has made in the lives of young men and women and their respective mentors. And then he’s ready for another challenge.

In this world where we hold adults accountable for maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships with children and youth some have believed the risks of this mentoring program outweigh the benefits. But Hale has never discouraged of such talk. He has simply found ways to assure that his mentors understood how to manage those risks and to ensure healthy boundaries and relationships.

I, for one, am glad he has persevered. And there are men and women – young and old – who are glad as well because their relationships have given them new life and great joy. It is with a deep sense of honor and joy that I present the Cross of St. Catherine to Hale Sanders.