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)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

One of my recent “Daily Gratitudes”posts celebrated the unique wonder of each moment. All of creation is unique. No two moments are the same. No two perspectives are the same. No two people are the same. In all of our uniqueness we are connected to everything that is, and we each make a unique contribution to the greater whole. This is true whether we pay attention or not. What changes when we pay attention is that the quality of our living expands. Every moment, every experience, every person becomes an opportunity to actively participate in the unlimited creativity of God. May your days be filled with a profound awareness of each unique moment.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow

The End Game

In my experience serving congregations as a transitional pastor I have found that the “end game” is one of the most challenging things to navigate. Figuring out how to match my departure with the conclusion of the Search Committee’s efforts to call your next Settled Pastor is tricky business. I don’t want to leave too soon and I don’t want to wait too long. So much depends on factors that cannot be controlled. And so, in the interest of keeping you informed about what’s happening, I want to let you know that I am in final negotiations with a congregation to become their new Settled Pastor. There will be more details to share in a few weeks. For now please know that I am not gone yet and as long as I am here I am committed to joyfully serving as your pastor. I have kept the leadership of the congregation informed and they are already working on plans to smoothly carry you through whatever gap there might be between my leaving and your new pastor’s arrival. This is an exciting time, for me and for you. I look forward to sharing more with you soon as things continue to unfold.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

We had a great time last Sunday morning at our annual Outdoor Worship Service at Fisher Farm. A big thank you to everyone who helped to make it such a great day – beginning with Jim & Bev Fisher who so graciously make the lovely space available to us and ending with the yellow jackets who mostly stayed away this year. There was wonderful music by a group of our own talented musicians, a great children’s moment, good food, perfect weather, and a whole bunch of great people with whom to share the experience. It was just one more in the long list of reasons why I find being your pastor to be such an enriching and satisfying experience. Thank you.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow) 

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

Living faithfully in this world is a complicated business. On the one hand, we are surrounded by countless incidents of senseless violence, unimaginable suffering, and immeasurable cruelty. And yet, on the other hand, we are also surrounded by countless acts of bravery, unimaginable kindness, and immeasurable compassion. All too often we become so overwhelmed by the first list that we fail to even notice the second list. Of course we need to pay attention to the painful realities which we encounter. It is important to bring our best creativity to bear as we seek to make the world a safer, more peaceful, more loving place for everyone. And if we hope to do so in any sort of effective and sustainable way then we dare not ignore the amazing positive qualities which are shining all around us. We need to draw upon every brave, kind, compassionate resource we can find. Only then will we be equipped to shine the Light of God’s Love into the world.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

As many of you know I post a thought everyday that begins “Today I am grateful for...” I don’t do this because my life is always and forever sweetness and fluff. In fact, the practice has its roots in the experiences surrounding the death of my late wife. My daily gratitude practice helps me build and maintain a foundation that keeps me grounded and connected to Spirit when life is not going well. We don’t always get to choose what life hands us. But we can always choose how we respond. I know there are some folks in the congregation for whom life is going very well indeed right now. And I know that there are others for whom life is challenging and painful. Regardless of where your life is along that spectrum, I invite you to remember that you are not alone. Whatever circumstance we find ourselves facing we can draw on the resource of God’s Spirit and the support of our community of family and friends. If life is going well for you right now please remember to reach out to those who are challenged. And if you are struggling right now please remember to stay open to the care that comes your way from others. Together we can experience life more fully, deeply and richly than we could ever manage on our own. Today I am grateful for the privilege of being a part of this amazing faith community.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

A Strong & Vital Congregation

One of the things I have appreciated about this congregation is the fact that you have not stopped being the church just because you find yourselves in a time a change and transition. You didn’t say, “Well, we’ll just wait and see what happens next.” You have continued to be the Church in our community and in our world. Our Sunday morning worship experiences have remained vital and well attended. Our outreach programs have expanded. Our giving has increased. Our enthusiasm has remained strong. I see all of this as a powerful illustration of your health as a congregation. In the weeks and months ahead, as the Pastoral Search Committee engages in the process of interviewing potential candidates to become your next Settled Pastor, they will be in the wonderful position of seeking the right person to work with you to enhance your strengths rather than “save” you from your weaknesses. I invite you to recognize the many ways in which you are a strong, healthy, vital congregation actively engaged in important ministry on God’s behalf. Your future is bright.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

There are so many ways in which this congregation shines. Just in the past few weeks I have watched you . . .

• reach out with compassion and care to homeless folks who find their way to our breezeway;
• increase your financial support for the congregation and approve an ambitious budget which supports a variety of ministry opportunities in our community and our world;
• surround people with love and care and support as they face challenging and painful circumstances in their lives;
• celebrate the Supreme Court decision regarding marriage equality;
• mourn the senseless violence and loss of life in the church shooting in South Carolina;
• and countless other examples too numerous to list.

You are a congregation who takes seriously the challenge of allowing your faith to shape your living in ways that seek to share God’s love with the world around you. Thank you.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

On Sunday I preached about Radical Hospitality. On Tuesday morning I arrived at the church and found two people sleeping in the breezeway. They were in pretty rough shape. Everything they owned fit in a couple of backpacks, along with the threadbare blankets they were laying on. They are on the road, trying to get somewhere besides here. I was able to give them some food and water, thanks to BOOM’s sack lunch ministry. I printed off directions to the food bank. And I was kind to them. We cannot do everything for everyone, but we can do something for the needs that show up (sometimes literally) at our front door. I am grateful to be a part of a congregation that approaches ministry with heart and passion. This week I had the privilege of representing you in this one small way. Thank you.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

As you are reading this I am enjoying a week in Montana on Flathead Lake at Wilderness Dances of Universal Peace Camp. I don’t really know what heaven is like, but I hope it is something like this. I am with about 100 of the most open-hearted people I know and together we are singing and dancing and praying and playing barefoot on grass under a beautiful open air tent decorated with Tibetan prayer flags. Around the center support pole are guitars and drums and flutes. And flowing in and around and through the entire experience is the tangible presence of Spirit. I am grateful beyond words for opportunities such as this.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

We live in a time of transition. This is true for this congregation right now as the Pastoral Search Committee starts considering candidates. This is true for me as I start contemplating what comes next for my journey. The wind of God’s Spirit is blowing and there is change in the air. And this is always true. It is, perhaps, more obvious when we find ourselves in circumstances such as an active Search process. But it is always true. This Sunday is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, as our journey around the sun moves us into yet another seasonal transition. To live is to experience transition. What was is no more. What will be is not yet. Each moment is new. And such change can be uncomfortable because it reminds us that we are not ultimately in control. Life happens. I invite you to remember that in the midst of the change we are not alone. We are never alone. God’s ever-present Spirit abides with us and journeys through the transitions with us. And because of this reality I have the utmost of confidence that we are headed into a bright and glorious future. May we enjoy the ride.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Our Budget as Faith Statement

On Sunday, June 28th we will gather after worship for the congregation’s annual meeting to approve the budget for the coming fiscal year. The centerpiece of the discussion will be a multi-page document filled with columns of numbers. As you read through all those numbers I invite you to remember that it is so much more than a financial spreadsheet. Each of the numbers represents the hopes, aspirations and priorities of this congregation as together we plan for the ministry opportunities we will engage in during the coming year. It is easy to get bogged down in the details, especially when we are talking about money. And it is really important for us to keep the bigger picture before us. Our budget is a faith statement which spells out the ways in which we believe God is calling and empowering us to impact the world around us. It might look like a page full of numbers, but if you look closer you will begin to recognize it as a prayer of hope and gratitude. May we continue to be God’s faithful people who are alive and at work in the world.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

Summer is upon us and with it comes a change of pace. For some folks summer is a time to shift into a slower gear. For others it doesn’t really slow down but it does provide for different opportunities. Around the church we take a break from some of the things we do the rest of the year – Tuesday Book Group, Sunday School and Choir, to name just a few. But one thing that doesn’t change is the importance of staying connected – with God and with each other. Whatever shape your summer takes, whether it is picnics at the beach, time in the garden, or travel with family and friends, remember to be on the lookout for encounters with the Sacred. Savor the gift of slowing down so you might recognize the surprising ways in which God is seeking to get your attention. Join us for worship when you’re in town and let us know what you’re up to when you’re away so we can hold you in prayer. Make it a spiritual practice to expand your awareness of the many ways in which God accompanies you as you travel through your days. May your summer be filled with holy encounters, and may you notice.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Thoughts Along the Way . . .

The abundance of God’s Grace surrounds us in every moment. But often that abundance is spoken in a whisper. To really experience the gift requires that we pay attention – not just to the “big moments” but to all of the small, subtle, understated moments as well. When I remember to engage in this profound spiritual practice my life is transformed. Every moment becomes a gift just waiting to be unwrapped. So, here it is in five steps – an ongoing practice in which the journey is the destination.

~ Five Steps To More Abundant Living ~

1) Show Up

2) Be Present

3) Pay Attention

4) Practice Gratitude

5) Repeat

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)