Thoughts Along the Way . . .

This week-end I will be traveling to Pendleton to participate in the Central Pacific Conference UCC Annual Meeting. In the 33+ years I’ve been in ministry I have attended a lot of meetings like this. Even though I’ve never been to such a meeting in this conference I am confident that it will include opportunities for fellowship and shared meals, worship, conducting the business of the church, discussions around various pressing issues of the day, and then more of the same. And I also know that what I experience in Pendleton will not be exactly like any other gathering I have ever participated in. I know this to be true because that is how life works, and it is certainly how the church works. There is both continuity and uniqueness. What has come before shapes our present experience, but it does not define it. God is always calling us to be fully present in each new moment - in each new experience. Thus I travel to Pendleton filled with anticipation. And in the same way I am filled with excitement as together we move into the future which God has in store for this congregation.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

On a regular basis I am reminded that we are all connected. Not just you and me, but all of us. All six billion plus of us. Actually, all of us who ever have or ever will be alive on this planet. We don’t have to do anything to make it happen. It simply is true because that is how God created us. It’s written into our DNA. We are connectional beings. What we can do is be intentional about living ever more fully into our awareness of that reality. And so we come together in this congregation to share life with each other. In such sharing we experience not only our connection with those around us, but also our connection with the Sacred Source of all life. My life in enhanced in so many ways because I share it with you. Together may we continue to be God’s community of love as we reach out beyond ourselves to touch the world around us.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

I was deeply moved during worship last Sunday morning. I experienced the Spirit of God shining in us and through us. It happened first when I invited everyone present to lay hands on our teachers in an act of blessing. In that moment our hearts were all connected as together we reached out in love. And then came the children’s moment. Most of you were probably unaware, but the idea of passing the love rocks around the sanctuary was not a pre-planned part of the service. That particular idea didn’t occur to me until we had laid hands on the teachers and I had a flash of inspiration that we could do the same thing with the rocks. I am convinced that it was a Spirit-inspired notion. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and paying enough attention to catch the idea when it showed up. But what moved me so deeply was not that I got to catch a wonderful idea. It was moving because when I shared the idea with the congregation you took it and embraced it whole-heartedly. It took a while for the basket of rocks to make its way around the sanctuary because the room was full of people who genuinely relished the idea that they could share their love for the children in this wonderfully tangible way. So we took the time that it took for that to happen. And no one got impatient. No one complained that it was taking too long. It was a timeless moment when God’s ever-present Spirit came shining through the ordinary and transformed it into an extraordinary experience. And those of us who were fortunate enough to be there were transformed as well. Thank you for being the extraordinary congregation that you are.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

A Process of Visioning and Discernment

The time has come. We spent the first five months of my tenure getting acquainted and settling in to the new reality of congregational life beyond Pastor Diane’s ministry. Now we are preparing to engage in a process of visioning and discernment that will help to shape the future of this congregation for years to come. By now you have received a letter introducing the process. If you have not already done so, I invite you to please read it carefully. Ask questions if you need clarification. Your voice, and every voice, is incredibly important to the success of this endeavor. We are laying the foundation upon which the Pastoral Search Committee (to be named sometime soon) will build when they move forward with the task of finding and calling your next settled pastor. Get involved. Let your voice be heard. Make it a priority. I believe you will find it to be an exciting and inspiring process. Thank you for the honor and the privilege of being with you in these days.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

I just returned home from a few days of vacation in San Francisco. It was a refreshing time away, including re-connecting with Susan, eating way too much good food, meeting new friends and exploring a fun city. And now it’s time to jump into a busy and exciting time of discernment for our congregation. I hope you will take advantage of the upcoming important opportunities for helping to shape the future of First Congregational UCC. Let your voice be heard. Contribute your time and talents. Hold us in prayer. I remain convinced that God’s Spirit is moving among us in powerful ways, and I continue to be grateful for the opportunity to share life and ministry with you in these days.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)