Fabulous Forty Celebration

St. Thomas' gathered yesterday to honor and celebrate their priest-in-residence's forty years of ordained ministry. The congregation assembled between services to hear the vestry resolution recognizing his contribution to the life of the church (see below). A letter of congratulation from Bishop Lee was read, everyone sang sang an amusing song about Lindon set to the tune of "Morning has broken", and Lindon received a gift of decorated paper socks from the children of the church as well as several real ones too! All ate cake - of course.

The celebration was a complete surprise to Lindon who was visibly moved at times - even to the point of leaving him speechless (an event in itself!) It was a lovely and very happy occasion.

The Resolution:

Commending The Reverend Dr. Lindon J. Eaves on the Fortieth Anniversary of his ordination.

WHEREAS, Lindon J. Eaves, having completed seminary studies at Cuddesdon College, Oxford and successfully navigated the General Ordination Examination, better known as God's Own Exam, was ordained a priest of the Church of England in Birmingham, England, by Bishop Leonard Wilson on September 22, 1968; and

WHEREAS, the year 1968 was a momentous one for Lindon Eaves in other regards; in that year he married his teenage sweetheart Susan Nuthall, and began graduate studies that would lead to doctorates in behavioral genetics and genetics from the University of Birmingham and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Oxford University; and

WHEREAS, in 1981, despite having risen to the rank of University lecturer (associate professor) at Oxford, Lindon made a career change for which we are all thankful; and

WHEREAS, lured by the American Dream of expansive lawns, large cars, open roads, and outdoor grills, and propelled by the ascendency of the Margaret Thatcher government in Great Britain, Lindon packed his family, now including Hugh and Helen, and crossed the Atlantic to assume a position at the Medical College of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, over the next twenty years, during which Sue herself was ordained and Thomas was added to the Eaves family, Lindon cemented his status as one of the world's elite geneticists, equally at home in the world of scientific research, the media, and the church; and

WHEREAS, in 2001 St. Thomas' Church called Susan N. Eaves as its Rector, only to find that a slightly zany yet down to earth Priest in Residence was a part of the bargain; and

WHEREAS, Lindon Eaves over the last seven years has astounded us with his iconoclastic sartorial splendor, and the fact that the study of twins has been the basis for his research leaves us to contemplate a world in which there might be a vicar somewhere in an English village sporting red socks, sandals, and shorts under his cassock; and

WHEREAS, Lindon Eaves has continuously instilled a sense of expectancy in the congregation, whether it be about his next sermon or the style of his semi-annual haircut; and

WHEREAS, Lindon Eaves likewise has enlivened St. Thomas' with his boundless enthusiasm, delighted us with his wicked wit, awed us with his intellect, and captivated us with his irreverent reverence for the Creator and for the human spirit; and

WHEREAS, Lindon Eaves most importantly has inspired and encouraged St. Thomas' by sharing his journey of faith, from the pulpit and as he moves among us, carrying the message that religious faith and scientific knowledge are faces of the same search for a more beautiful truth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, by the Vestry and congregation of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, That The Reverend Doctor Lindon J. Eaves be congratulated upon the fortieth anniversary of his ordained ministry; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That Lindon Eaves know the admiration and respect, the love and affection, with which he is held by the entire family of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church; and, be it

RESOLVED FINALLY, That the congregation of St. Thomas' Church hereby offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the ministry, witness, and friendship of Lindon Eaves.