On Sunday afternoon, we started yet one more new annual (hopefully) event: cleaning up the Church. After worship and a super potluck--First Presbyterian Church knows how to do potlucks--14-20 of the parishioners stayed to clean up the place in which the people of God gather to worship, to learn, to fellowship, and to serve one another. One team tackled the kitchen, another team tackled the lounge and library, yet one more group clipped the bushes in the back near the entry way to the choir room, a cluster of people tackled the weeds near the columbarium, and still yet one more horde of people cut back and cleaned up the very front of the Church grounds itself. We worked for around 90 min. to 2 hours before the sun got the best of us...after all, it was the latter part of June.
What was novel about this whole enterprise was the recognition of how much we created a sense of community together in our cleaning, pruning, clipping, and weeding. It was the people of Christ gathered working, laughing, gossiping, commiserating, cajoling, and smiling together.
A BIG thank you to all who came and helped out.
And for those who couldn't because of time constraints, don't worry: I think another one of these gatherings will be planned for the fall.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Who We Are, Where We Are, and Whose We Are
The last two mid-month meals have been "most excellent," a witty phrase and popular term in the vernacular of this contemporary age. In other words, I heard it on t.v. somewhere.
In May, we talked about the survey the Church took in November 2008. While much has changed in the Church since November, it was helpful to talk about the survey results in great depth and detail. Reading surveys is a tricky business. Even with a Ph.D. in education, and a year's worth of statistics under my belt, I am in awe of the science of statistics and surveys.
What did we learn? Well, for example, there was a sharp break between those who want contemporary worship, and those who don't: 126% believe we need more emphasis on contemporary worship styles, music and language, while 33% are satisfied, and another 26% thinks it receives too much attention (p. 7). Likewise, on p. 2 there were 9% who thought contemporary worship should be strengthened. What does this mean? There is a large group in the Church who want contemporary worship while there is an equally large group who struggle with it. That's important! We probably should include more contemporary worship styles and music.
Likewise, there was an indication that issues regarding "spirituality" should be increased and strengthened (20% on p. 2). That is significant! Since the survey, we've included Midday Prayers during Lent and Eastertide, and will have a healing worship service in July.
Likewise, a resounding 83% believe that the pastor should "prepare and preach inspiring sermons" (p. 5). I'm trying my best to provide this.
There were more interesting insights into the life of our Church in the survey, and I'd be glad to go over those with anyone who is interested. Gary Daeke (Elder) and I had a great time discussing the statistics, and see it as helpful in where the Church is going in the future.
Tonight we talked about Henderson and Vance County, and talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the area. There were several lessons we learned today after watching a rose-colored glass DVD of Henderson, produced by the Chamber of Commerce of Henderson:
1. we are becoming a "browner" community: more people who speak Spanish as their first language are moving into the area, and they are not all Catholic, but include non-denominational Protestants as well;
2. 60% of the homes in the area are rented. This is very large compared to other towns and cities our size;
3. We are "importing poverty" into the area, with many people who are poor moving into the area because of housing (rental) possibilities, along with access to federal and state programs for food, medical care, and other resources;
4. no new industries are moving into the area in the near future, even though we are part of Triangle North, modeled on RDU;
5. drop out rate in high school is high, as is crime in this area.
6. many people have moved out of the area because of the quality of the schools, even though they work in the area. For example, many of the professionals at the nearby hospital live in Durham or Raleigh or Chapel Hill and commute each and every day;
7. We have a lot of retirees around Kerr Lake, and Kerr Lake is a positive draw.
So what does that tell us about our church?
1. people who are moving into the area, and will most likely be part of our church family will be from Central or South America, speaking Spanish as their first tongue;
2. poverty in Vance County is a reality and something we will have to address, and many of those who are poor are African American, and they are our neighbors;
3. we will have to be creative in figuring out how we will grow numerically in an area in which there is little to no growth of those who would have come to FPC-H in the past.
4. Preaching, writing newsletter columns, and other points of references in the life of the Church will change slightly as we become a more racially diverse body;
5. there is still a community of people with developmental disabilities and others with mental illness who need our assistance and who wish to come and be part of our worship.
As I looked around the room of 22 people last night I realized that few if any of us live in a house or apartment right around the corner or a block away from the church building. It dawned on me then: We are not necessarily a community or neighborhood church. We are a downtown church that many of us drive a good distance to come to, and then leave when worship or an activity is over.
So what would the congregation of FPC-H look like were it a neighborhood church?
My hunch? It would look slightly different than we look today.
Thanks to Elder Gary Daeke for his sharing his expertise in this area.
Our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, senses are open. We are aware of the opportunities and threats to Henderson and Vance County at large, and our Church in particular. I see this all as an opportunity to open wide the doors of the Church in welcoming all who desire to follow Jesus, especially our neighbors right around the corner and down the street.
What do you think?
Peace,
Pastor Brett
In May, we talked about the survey the Church took in November 2008. While much has changed in the Church since November, it was helpful to talk about the survey results in great depth and detail. Reading surveys is a tricky business. Even with a Ph.D. in education, and a year's worth of statistics under my belt, I am in awe of the science of statistics and surveys.
What did we learn? Well, for example, there was a sharp break between those who want contemporary worship, and those who don't: 126% believe we need more emphasis on contemporary worship styles, music and language, while 33% are satisfied, and another 26% thinks it receives too much attention (p. 7). Likewise, on p. 2 there were 9% who thought contemporary worship should be strengthened. What does this mean? There is a large group in the Church who want contemporary worship while there is an equally large group who struggle with it. That's important! We probably should include more contemporary worship styles and music.
Likewise, there was an indication that issues regarding "spirituality" should be increased and strengthened (20% on p. 2). That is significant! Since the survey, we've included Midday Prayers during Lent and Eastertide, and will have a healing worship service in July.
Likewise, a resounding 83% believe that the pastor should "prepare and preach inspiring sermons" (p. 5). I'm trying my best to provide this.
There were more interesting insights into the life of our Church in the survey, and I'd be glad to go over those with anyone who is interested. Gary Daeke (Elder) and I had a great time discussing the statistics, and see it as helpful in where the Church is going in the future.
Tonight we talked about Henderson and Vance County, and talked about the strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the area. There were several lessons we learned today after watching a rose-colored glass DVD of Henderson, produced by the Chamber of Commerce of Henderson:
1. we are becoming a "browner" community: more people who speak Spanish as their first language are moving into the area, and they are not all Catholic, but include non-denominational Protestants as well;
2. 60% of the homes in the area are rented. This is very large compared to other towns and cities our size;
3. We are "importing poverty" into the area, with many people who are poor moving into the area because of housing (rental) possibilities, along with access to federal and state programs for food, medical care, and other resources;
4. no new industries are moving into the area in the near future, even though we are part of Triangle North, modeled on RDU;
5. drop out rate in high school is high, as is crime in this area.
6. many people have moved out of the area because of the quality of the schools, even though they work in the area. For example, many of the professionals at the nearby hospital live in Durham or Raleigh or Chapel Hill and commute each and every day;
7. We have a lot of retirees around Kerr Lake, and Kerr Lake is a positive draw.
So what does that tell us about our church?
1. people who are moving into the area, and will most likely be part of our church family will be from Central or South America, speaking Spanish as their first tongue;
2. poverty in Vance County is a reality and something we will have to address, and many of those who are poor are African American, and they are our neighbors;
3. we will have to be creative in figuring out how we will grow numerically in an area in which there is little to no growth of those who would have come to FPC-H in the past.
4. Preaching, writing newsletter columns, and other points of references in the life of the Church will change slightly as we become a more racially diverse body;
5. there is still a community of people with developmental disabilities and others with mental illness who need our assistance and who wish to come and be part of our worship.
As I looked around the room of 22 people last night I realized that few if any of us live in a house or apartment right around the corner or a block away from the church building. It dawned on me then: We are not necessarily a community or neighborhood church. We are a downtown church that many of us drive a good distance to come to, and then leave when worship or an activity is over.
So what would the congregation of FPC-H look like were it a neighborhood church?
My hunch? It would look slightly different than we look today.
Thanks to Elder Gary Daeke for his sharing his expertise in this area.
Our eyes, ears, hearts, minds, senses are open. We are aware of the opportunities and threats to Henderson and Vance County at large, and our Church in particular. I see this all as an opportunity to open wide the doors of the Church in welcoming all who desire to follow Jesus, especially our neighbors right around the corner and down the street.
What do you think?
Peace,
Pastor Brett
Returning Home
It is good to be back at FPC-H! My Continuing Education time in the desert of New Mexico was enriching in many ways. One Elder asked me if I came back with some new insights? Answering "Yes," he said "Then it was a good Continuing Education experience."
And what new insight did I have from my 120+ mile pilgrimage in northern New Mexico? A new found appreciation for how each of us pilgrims walk in following Jesus, the Pilgrim God. On the pilgrimage, I came to know who was in front of me by the very stride or strut in their walk. Some people walk with a real saunter, while others simply gallop. There was a sway in some people's walk--a kind of elegance--while others were more military in their footsteps, simply soldiering on as we would do 17-20 miles each day.
On our pilgrimage of faith at FPC-H, I am coming to appreciate each person's style of being a pilgrim in the roadway of life. Some people strut in their walk of faith, while others saunter along the way, simply smelling the roses. Some walk arm in arm with others in faith, inviting others to come along and be with them on the pilgrimage.
Learning to be mindful, and respectful, of each other's walk is part of the ministry of our Church. And people who come and visit us are watching to see if they can simply walk--or roll--with us forward unto the kingdom of God.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
And what new insight did I have from my 120+ mile pilgrimage in northern New Mexico? A new found appreciation for how each of us pilgrims walk in following Jesus, the Pilgrim God. On the pilgrimage, I came to know who was in front of me by the very stride or strut in their walk. Some people walk with a real saunter, while others simply gallop. There was a sway in some people's walk--a kind of elegance--while others were more military in their footsteps, simply soldiering on as we would do 17-20 miles each day.
On our pilgrimage of faith at FPC-H, I am coming to appreciate each person's style of being a pilgrim in the roadway of life. Some people strut in their walk of faith, while others saunter along the way, simply smelling the roses. Some walk arm in arm with others in faith, inviting others to come along and be with them on the pilgrimage.
Learning to be mindful, and respectful, of each other's walk is part of the ministry of our Church. And people who come and visit us are watching to see if they can simply walk--or roll--with us forward unto the kingdom of God.
Peace!
Pastor Brett
Monday, May 4, 2009
Empathy
A long time a go I came to understand the difference between sympathy and empathy: while sympathy has a more romantic tinge to it, empathy has a sense of standing in solidarity with each other.
What I experience at First Presby. Church is empathy.
And it is at funerals and amid the news of sudden death we are often our best.
We empathize with each other, stand or sit in solidarity with each other.
And that is a gift of grace, to be with each other in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health (to use a line from a wedding).
Thank you, First Presbyterian Church for this gift.
Peace, Pastor Brett
p.s., I will be off on vacation for a week. Thank you!
What I experience at First Presby. Church is empathy.
And it is at funerals and amid the news of sudden death we are often our best.
We empathize with each other, stand or sit in solidarity with each other.
And that is a gift of grace, to be with each other in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health (to use a line from a wedding).
Thank you, First Presbyterian Church for this gift.
Peace, Pastor Brett
p.s., I will be off on vacation for a week. Thank you!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Midday Prayer Midweek: A Still Point in a Turning World
One of the parts of life that I truly like about our Church is Midday prayer midweek--Wednesday--in the sanctuary. Using the Midday Prayer order in the Book of Common Worship, 6-10 of us gather for 20 minutes to pray, using the words of Scripture and usually a reading from a book by my friend Henri Nouwen as our guide. The meal afterward continues the sense of community that has begun to surround our gathering.
An invitation: if you are free on Wed. afternoon, please come to Midday prayer! Take 20 min. of your day and discover what Eliot called the "still point of our turning world."
Peace!
Pastor Brett
An invitation: if you are free on Wed. afternoon, please come to Midday prayer! Take 20 min. of your day and discover what Eliot called the "still point of our turning world."
Peace!
Pastor Brett
Thursday, April 23, 2009
An Active Church
On Wed. night, we were one open, active, lively church! We gathered for great Middle Eastern food in the Fellowship Hall and watched a slide show of pictures taken from my latest foray into the Holy Land. The food was great! And the audience super! Thank you all!
And downstairs we had the ESL gathering, with 19 children who showed up.
Meanwhile, over in the sanctuary there were hand bells ringing and choir rehearsing.
We are an active, open, lively church. It is great fun to see all the lights burning, the rooms being used, and ministry happening!
It is also the Church alive when all the lights are off and we are busy in the neighborhoods surrounding the Church building. That too is a sign of life.
We are an alive, open, welcoming, and active Church!
Praise God!
Pastor Brett
And downstairs we had the ESL gathering, with 19 children who showed up.
Meanwhile, over in the sanctuary there were hand bells ringing and choir rehearsing.
We are an active, open, lively church. It is great fun to see all the lights burning, the rooms being used, and ministry happening!
It is also the Church alive when all the lights are off and we are busy in the neighborhoods surrounding the Church building. That too is a sign of life.
We are an alive, open, welcoming, and active Church!
Praise God!
Pastor Brett
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Monday
We have now entered the next 50 days of Eastertide. Like Advent, Christmas, and Lent, this is a "tide" of days, commonly referred to in the church as Eastertide.
And on this Monday of Eastertide, I must admit I am humbled by the awesome people we are surrounded by at First Presbyterian Church.
* A big shout out to the Church staff: Kathy, Kristy, and Clifton! Thanks for all your help in the last week or so.
* A big shout out to Elder Phil Hanny, Karen Hanny, and Peggy Stocks for their incredible work and artistry.
* A big shout out to Elders Raynah Adams and Mike McKoon for great worship, as well as Karen and the choirs!
Thanks for the wonderful memories of Holy Week, which will continue to set us on an incredible course on our pilgrimage through Eastertide!
Peace!
Pastor Brett
And on this Monday of Eastertide, I must admit I am humbled by the awesome people we are surrounded by at First Presbyterian Church.
* A big shout out to the Church staff: Kathy, Kristy, and Clifton! Thanks for all your help in the last week or so.
* A big shout out to Elder Phil Hanny, Karen Hanny, and Peggy Stocks for their incredible work and artistry.
* A big shout out to Elders Raynah Adams and Mike McKoon for great worship, as well as Karen and the choirs!
Thanks for the wonderful memories of Holy Week, which will continue to set us on an incredible course on our pilgrimage through Eastertide!
Peace!
Pastor Brett
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