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)