Thank You

There is always more that could be said. And yet, in this moment, as our time together comes to an end, there is really only one thing left to say. Thank you.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Beginnings & Endings

Beginnings and endings – they are intrinsically interwoven threads in the tapestry of our living. Together they create the tidal rhythm which flows over, under, around, and through everything we experience in this life. We don’t always know what particular form it will take, but we can be sure that if it has a beginning it will also have an ending. We can close our eyes and pretend it is not so. We can rail against it. We can complain. And the results will be the same – beginnings and endings. So, since that is how things work, and since it really is a rhythm, why not choose to dance? That’s what we humans do when we let the rhythm wash over us – we dance! And when we choose to embrace the rhythm and give ourselves over to it we discover that the dance doesn’t stop with the endings – because there are always new beginnings. The rhythm continues. The dance goes on.

From the moment I said yes to the invitation to become your Transitional Pastor we knew that this day would come. We didn’t know exactly when it would arrive, but we knew that built into the arrangement was the reality that I would not be staying. And so, as the ending of my time with you now rapidly approaches, I choose to dance. I choose to celebrate the eighteen months we have shared together. I choose to let the sacred rhythm of life wash over me and carry me forward in the next stage of my journey, trusting that the gracious Spirit of God which has been present with me thus far will continue to be present with me in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. I hope you will join me in this intentional choice to be grateful. Such an attitude does not preclude sadness. My time with you has been powerful and momentous in many ways. I have learned so much with you and from you. I will miss being your pastor. And I simply refuse to allow the sadness to overshadow my appreciation for the gift. As we prepare to part company in the days ahead, may we be intentional about celebrating what we have shared together and what God has accomplished in us and through us. Let us dance to the amazing rhythm of Life and see where it takes us next!

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

Several folks have asked me about my new congregation and my new city. So here are some details about where I’m going in a few weeks. Plymouth Congregational Church in Helena, Montana was established in the early 1960s. They have a reputation in the community for being a caring, progressive congregation which is involved in a variety of social justice and community service causes. It occupies a full city block and includes a community garden and a labyrinth. There is a daycare that operates in the basement during the week, and a variety of groups regularly use the building. Sunday morning worship attendance averages between 50 and 60. If you would like more information about the congregation you can check out their web-site.

Helena is the capital of Montana and has a population of about 28,000. It sits in a beautiful valley through which the Missouri River flows. Surrounded by mountains, there will be plenty of places for me to explore with my camera. It was originally a mining town, and there is still lots of that character to be found. The mansion district stretches for blocks and blocks, with amazingly unique homes, and one of the main streets running through the downtown area is Last Chance Gulch. Carroll College, affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, is located in Helena. Bozeman is about an hour and a half away, and Missoula is about two hours away. Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park are both about three hours away (in opposite directions).

In many ways it will be a very different experience from living in Hillsboro and serving First Congregational UCC. And I am excited by the opportunities and the challenges. If you are ever in the neighborhood be sure to stop in and say hello.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

One of the central understandings about life which I hold to be true is that this moment is the only moment we have. The past is gone. The future is not yet. This moment is when we get to live our lives. Remembering and planning have their place, but when we allow them to distract us from being fully present in this moment then we are not appreciating the remarkable gift of life in this world. And that is almost always easier to talk about than to actually put into practice. As I prepare to take my leave of you at the end of the month I am seeking to maintain this balance in my life. There are plans to be made. There are details that require my attention. And through it all my desire is to be present with you until the moment when I depart. I do not want to short-change the wonderful experience of being your pastor. So I monitor my language. Instead of saying, “It has been a joy being here” I choose to say, “It is a joy to be here.” Instead of focusing on the sadness of leaving I choose to focus on the gift of still being here. I do not want to get so wrapped up in what hasn’t happened yet that I miss the moment which is happening right now. Please join me in celebrating and sharing this present moment. It is where God is found. It is where life happens. It is a gift.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

It is now official. I have been called to serve as the new Pastor for Plymouth Congregational Church UCC inHelena, Montana. This is a settled position, which means I get to put down some roots, which is very exciting news for me, both professionally and personally. As news of this has spread I have been overwhelmed by the expressions of support and encouragement and appreciation which so many of you have shared with me. You really are a remarkable congregation and it continues to be such a joy to serve as your pastor. We do not yet know who will take up residence in my office after I depart, but I am confident that you will welcome them warmly and support them enthusiastically as they settle in to life and ministry with you. I can say this confidently because that has been my experience. Thank you. I look forward to the opportunities in these next few days and weeks for us to share life together.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

The West is on fire! That is, of course, an exaggeration, but not by much. When smoke from fires hundreds of miles away can clog our air here in the Portland area it gets our attention. And there are photos on Facebook and in the news. There are stories from people I know. The fires are big, and numerous, and, in many cases, still out of control. There are folks who are saying, “Welcome to the new normal of climate change.” Probably so, and hopefully we really will begin to take our personal and collective responsibilities seriously. There are folks who are pointing to past forest management practices (put out every fire as quickly as possible) as a major contributing factor. Probably so, and hopefully lessons have been and will continue to be learned. And through it all, in this moment, there are people who are suffering. Lives have been lost. Homes have been destroyed. Whole communities have been disrupted. Landscapes have been altered for a generation. Of course we want to learn whatever lessons need to be learned. Of course we want to correct whatever policies need to be corrected. And in this moment let us stand in solidarity with those who are suffering. Let us hold them in prayer. Let us find ways to reach out with compassion. Let us do what we can to support them in their time of grief and loss. Let us be the Church shining the beacon of God’s Love into the world around us.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

The past few days have been filled with examples which remind me why I am so grateful for this congregation. On Saturday a whole parade of people spent the day working hard to make the church’s biennial yard sale such a huge success. Because of their efforts the Board of Outreach and Mission will have $2,200 to spend on local mission projects like Family Promise, Home Plate, Laundry Love and more. The entryway into the sanctuary was crowded with barrels full of clothing and another large container is full of school supplies. Last week there were several homeless families sleeping in our basement. Meals are being provided for one of our families who is experiencing a medical crisis. On and on the list could go. On a regular and ongoing basis you live out your understanding that being Church means reaching out beyond yourselves to touch the world with God’s Love. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for doing what you do.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)