I’ve been thinking a lot about community and connection lately.
In many real and powerful ways our very existence is shaped by the
connections we share with each other and with God. Our experience of
life takes on meaning and purpose and direction because we are in
relationship. That is what it means to be Church. That is what it
means to be human. To be fully alive requires that we be open to the
presence of those around us and the presence of the Sacred within us.
We are not in this on our own – never have been, never will be.
Sometimes this is easy. Often it is challenging. Always it is
essential.
This reality offers guidance and direction for our life together
as a congregation. As we prepare to move forward into a time of
visioning and discernment, seeking the leading of God’s Spirit, it
will be important to remember that each and every one of us are vital
pieces of the picture. It will take all of us together to become most
fully who God is calling us to be. It also means we must always
remember to keep our doors and our arms and our hearts open so that
we can continue to invite and welcome others into our circle of
community. There is always room for one more – always one more. How
will God use this gift of our connections to help in the healing of
the world?
- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)
As I write these words there are children and adults
in the sanctuary making music. It has been fun to be here this week
during Music Camp as music and laughter fills the building. Much the
same thing happens on Sunday mornings. At 9:30am things are very
quiet. By about 10:15am there is an excitement buzzing in the air as
people gather to worship together. I am reminded once again that each
of us make contributions which touch the lives of everyone around us.
Without your presence and your participation in the life of this
congregation the experience of being the church would be diminished
for all of us. And each of us gets to decide what kind of energy we
will bring to the mix. What sort of contribution will you make?
Together may we continue to be God’s excited, joyful, creative and
enthusiastic church.
~ Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)
“Keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow” is the
tag line I use for my email and my newsletter articles. I started
using it six years ago when my life took on an unsettled,
transitional quality. It was a playful reminder that staying in the
flow of this present moment is where I will encounter God, and where
I will find meaning and purpose in my living. Worrying about an
uncertain future simply does not serve me well.
During this time of transition in which you now find yourselves,
there is a temptation to get through it as quickly as possible. “Just
find a new settled pastor so we can get on with the business of being
the church.” I would invite you to consider the possibility that
there is a “flow” to this process. Being the church happens now.
Being faithful happens now. Being alive happens now. This present
moment is a unique gift. May we use it gratefully and joyfully.
- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)
We are relational beings.
It’s written into our DNA. Being in relationship isn’t just what
we do – it’s who we are. So it’s not at all surprising that
relationship so profoundly influences what it means to be the church.
First Congregational UCC is in the midst of a transition time because
Pastor Diane retired, and the relational ripples of that reality
continue to spread across the life of the congregation. The ways in
which you relate to her and to each other have changed. What it means
to be church together is now in flux. We find ourselves in a period
of time when the ground is shifting beneath our feet. What was has
come to an end and what will be has not yet taken shape. And it is
important to remember that this is not simply a time to get through
as quickly as possible. It is not something that has gone wrong and
needs to get “fixed.” This is an opportunity to learn and grow.
It is an opportunity to experience the presence and guidance of God’s
Spirit in new ways. And because we are relational beings, all of this
will happen within the context of being together. We do not have to
face these days alone. Indeed we cannot do so. Together we will
discover the ways in which God is moving in us and through us.
Together we will discover new ways of being church never before
dreamed of. Together we will reclaim old ways of doing things that
still speak powerfully to who we are today. Together, with each other
and with God, we will become the church God is calling us to become.
Thank you for the remarkable opportunity of being your Transitional
Pastor in such a time as this. I am honored by your trust. I am
excited by the possibilities.
- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly
planted in the flow)
I’ve been with you as your Transitional Pastor for three months.
I am deeply grateful for the ways in which you have warmly welcomed
me into the congregation and into your lives. Together we are finding
our way through this new territory in which we find yourselves after
Pastor Diane’s retirement. Some of what I bring to the experience
is change – parts of our worship time are different, how I present
myself is different, who I am is different. Along the way you may
discover that such change is uncomfortable. Not all of the changes
are going to be appreciated by everyone. That is very understandable.
Please know that part of my job is to help you experience church in
ways which are different from what you’ve been used to, so that you
have a fuller, richer perspective with which to decide how you want
to be the Church going forward from here. It may well be that you
will decide to return to some of the ways things used to be done. And
there may also be new things you discover along the way that you
choose to truly embrace. It’s all a part of the process of stepping
into the future to which God is calling you. Thank you for allowing
me the privilege of walking with you on this path for a while.
- Pastor Roger
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)
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