Minister’s Letter — December 2007

Rappin’ with the Rev! By now you must know that beginning on Dec. 2nd our Committee on Ministry will sponsor the first of a series of congregational meetings with me. Subsequent meetings are planned for February and April. The meetings will be held after each Sunday service.

The purpose of the minister/congregational meetings is to discern together how we can best serve and minister to each other and the larger community and fulfill our mission. One of the questions behind these meetings together is this: “who do we exist for?” This question is answered in our mission statement.

Our mission is our passion. The word comes from the Latin “mitere”–to let go, to send, to throw. But a mission depends upon a vision, and we know from the biblical book of Proverbs that “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Or in my revised translation: Without vision the parish perishes. Vision is where we want to go. Mission is what we intend to do to get there.

The way we implement these aspects and work together becomes our ministry. We are all ministers here. Ministry is not about power. It is about service. It is about being there. It’s about being with when things can’t be fixed and no solution can be found. Ministry is about building and maintaining a strong vital institution. And ministry is about witnessing to our faith. Witnessing is not about trying to save anybody’s soul, but it is about telling other people about who we are–a free religious community, where all are welcome, where the theology arises out of your own experience and conviction and knowledge, where justice is done in this world, not in the next.

So I am hoping what I have articulated above (in addition to my comments in November Newsletter) will serve as a guide for us as we Rap with the Rev. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, concerns and pro-active ideas about how we can better serve one another and the larger community.

I am also looking forward to the services we have planned for the coming month. On Dec. 2nd we will introduce our newest members, the Brennan-Pennas family. On Dec. 16, our children will attend the early part of the 11 a.m. service. Susan Wright will be leading them and us through some Christmas carols. And I will tell a story. On Dec. 23, we will have a wonderful Christmas service with Spirits in Harmony singing at both services.

So as we enter these holiday times of Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa, I wish you the holiday that you need, whatever that may be–be it forgiveness, or new love, or a reunion with long-lost friends, or a deep sense of thankfulness. This can also be a difficult time for those who are alone or who have suffered recent losses. It’s alright to be sad in these times. Reach out to those you know and love. Don’t hesitate to ask for company, for help and support. You are loved! And I’ll see you at the Fellowship! Jim Covington