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)