These weeks of concluding tasks, tying up loose ends, packing up far too many papers, sorting out books, “bequeathing” resources to boards and committees, ascertaining that helpful administrative and pastoral care items are passed on to the appropriate channels — these weeks have been hard and often sad. Even though the grief is expected, that doesn’t make it any easier to live through. And the hardest of all is leaving the people.
I have spent half my life with the people of First Church. During this time we have created adult retreats (the youth already had an amazing program under Sally Stowell’s guidance), studied the Bible in different kinds of courses, enjoyed worship that could have a surprise almost any given Sunday while still offering some comforting familiarity threading through it, tried a number of programs to reach out in congregational care. We conducted a major building and renovation project that severely tried the talents of many gifted laypeople when we endured a contractor’s default — and challenged our congregation’s pocketbooks — but that has opened our capacities for service and hospitality; and in sixteen years we have seen our mortgage go from $950,000 to $259,777.04.
We saw a couple of decades of A New Song Coffeehouse and Cocoahouse, gave birth to Bedford Community Table/Pantry (the seeds were planted in a discussion right in our own Fellowship Hall), gave birth to Violence Prevention Coalition. We hosted for many years the Senior Nutrition Site till the Town Center was created. Alcoholics Anonymous found a home here, as did the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Other community groups and groups from the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ have based their meetings and events here.
We maintain a strong supportive connection with City Mission Society. We have sought to lift awareness regarding homelessness, care for people with HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, living with disabilities, and many other arenas of mission, whether through speakers, campaigns, projects, Mission Fairs, special offerings, fundraising events. We created a strong partnership with Good Shepherd and Beecher churches in Louisiana — which continues through the dedication of a number of our folks. Our youth have started stretching their minds and hearts through mission trips to North Carolina, New York, Boston, Louisiana.
And we became an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.
And there has been so much more.
The challenge is always present, though: can we learn to BE as well as we DO? Can we break through the mold of New England mainline reserve to speak more bravely about our faith, to share where we see God present in our individual and communal lives, to witness to the amazing grace and mysterious presence of God’s Holy Spirit holding us up throughout all the peaks and valleys of our journey? There have been some lovely examples of that in worship, in written statements, in small-group sharing. My prayer is that the wonderful people of First Church will trust the Spirit and keep becoming a community of faith where each person’s gift of sharing his or her faith will be honored — so that all may be strengthened and encouraged and inspired by the offering of each one.
So — while I find this time sad, I also believe that it is one more step on a journey of faith and hope, for you and for me. I leave not knowing what lies ahead, but seeking each day to trust God in the adventure. You embark upon what will feel for awhile like the unknown — but know that you are blessed with marvelous brothers and sisters in your company, and with the abiding presence of the One who holds us all.
Yours in Christ,
Jamie
