From The Interim Pastor:
Reverend Mary Poppins|
|
From The Interim Pastor: Reverend Mary Poppins |
|
Okay, I admit it. Being an interim pastor is a little weird. We come to a church and get to know and love the people, talk about what’s important from the past and what’s going to be important in the future, go through all the angst and murk of the visioning process, and then, just when the bright and glittering future has been born, hand off the whole kit and caboodle to the new gal or guy and say goodbye. The process reminds me of Mary Poppins, a character who came into a family’s life to remind them of what is truly important in life, imagination, music and love only to leave again when the winds changed. Well, if I am to be Reverend Mary Poppins, so be it. Scott is fond of saying that one of our duties as interim pastors is to “fund the imagination” of the church. I know that my own imagination has been “funded” by listening to the Open Question Circle conversations over the past couple of weeks. Mainstream Protestant denominations all over the world are considering fundamental shifts in the way they do “church.” The ideas below reflect some of the conversations that have gone on here and other directions from outside readings. I chalk out options below to add to the conversations that will continue through this winter. Become a beacon for Peace and Justice in Northwest Washington. Offer office or meeting space to any Peace/Justice group we can accommodate. Convert the basement into a homeless shelter for families. Let the walls be covered with posters for different events. Tutor disadvantaged kids and adults in English literacy, math and computer skills. Provide walk-in basic health care services for anyone who needed them. Host educational fora and seminars on peacemaking in hearts, homes and nations. Foster international exchange experiences with people all around the world. Become a “church without walls.” Organize into small groups of no more than 20 people who meet regularly for study, prayer, planning and connection. Assemble as a large group on a monthly basis, but the primary connection remains small and informal. When the group size exceeds 20, a new group starts up. Become a center for Arts and Spirituality in this area. Focus on different forms of prayer, meditation, spiritual development and spiritual expression through music, arts, dance, drama and other forms. Emphasize links to other religious traditions and denominations. Become recognized as a leading Mature Learning Center for Theological Study and Reflection. Take advantage of our congregation’s thirst for learning and cultivate development of United Church of Christ theological principles. The UCC as a denomination sorely needs development in this area. These images present four very different directions for our church. This list is by no means exhaustive or complete in outlining our options, but I hope it sparks conversation, excitement, or at least an exclamation of ““supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” As always, you are welcome to respond by calling the office or sending email to jennifer@fccb.net. Jennifer Yocum - Interim Pastor |