From the Pastor

Last Sunday, our congregation did two important things: we adopted an open and affirming statement that proclaims clearly that all are welcome at our church, and we revised our bylaws so that our organizational structures more accurately reflect who we are and how we do ministry together. Both items were the culmination of a lot of hard work and thoughtful conversation on the part of many, many people.

The next morning, I ran across an article by Peter W. Marty, the publisher of the Christian Century magazine, in which he uses a musical term to describe a healthy, thriving church:

“A legato passage in a musical score has a curved line above the phrase to indicate that it is to be sung or played in flowing manner. The job of the musician is to smoothly connect each note with the next, avoiding any and all space between them….

“Christian congregations that know how to move with spontaneity, but which enjoy order within that spontaneity, are what I call legato congregations. They don’t obsess over rules, yet they understand good process. They don’t have a hierarchical plan for every new initiative, yet things get accomplished. They don’t expect everybody to know everybody else, yet groups of people do purposeful things and build intimate community. Through the interplay of believers trying to find their way together, legato congregations build a coherent and meaningful life.” (Christian Century, May 23, 2018)

I think that describes us pretty well, don’t you? At least, I hope, on our best days, that’s what we strive to be. I’m excited to see what possibilities are opened up by our new structures and how we can live more deeply into being a welcoming congregation.

A few other notes, in no particular order:

Goodbyes… Earlier this month, we said farewell to Paul Snyder, who has served as our ministry intern this year. Thankfully, it’s not a full goodbye—Paul and Kaitlyn will still be around while Paul completes his last year of divinity school. Sadly, though, we are saying goodbye to Amanda Kerr, who is graduating, getting married, and moving to Raleigh! Amanda’s been our youth ministries coordinator for the past two and a half years, and while we are excited for all that lies ahead for her, we will miss her dearly!

Summer’s almost here... Here’s something fun: I get to go to camp! We’re sending a bunch of kids to Christmount for church camp this summer, and I’m going along as the keynoter for the JYF and Chi Rho Camps, the week of June 11-16. There will be seven FCC campers there that week, and three the following week at CYF camp. I’m sure we’ll bring home lots of stories (and maybe some bug bites.) Later in the summer, I’ll be taking the month of July off. Melissa Loy will be here and will be leading worship and handling things in my absence.

Looking ahead… Plans are in the early stages of forming a neighborhood ecumenical youth group with a couple of nearby churches. I’m excited about the possibility and eager to see where it goes. Are you excited about our ministry to children and youth? Would you like to help us dream and plan for next year? Let me know.

That’s it for now. I hope to see you soon, and I’m glad to be the church together with you.
Lee