9/11 thoughts, 18 years later...

On September 11, 2001 I was at a conference in Rochester NY. Shortly before 9 am, we heard improbable and fantastic stories of a plane crashing into one of the World Trade Center towers. We filed into the closed hotel bar to watch on TV. Early reports were that a small Cessna had crashed. The truth was known soon, as we watched a second aircraft strike the South Tower. And then watched as they fell, while hearing of another plane crashing into the Pentagon. And later, of heroes on another flight wrestling control away from terrorists and crashing into a field in rural Pennsylvania.

It was hard, in those moments, to fully comprehend what we were seeing. It was beyond our ability to process. But we all felt the knot in the pit of our stomachs, and some of us turned to prayer. Once past the who, what, and how questions, we always get to this question: Where was God?

Watching as hundreds of First Responders ran toward the burning and collapsing buildings, I was reminded of two things. First, this scripture from the first chapter of the book of the prophet Joshua, "I've commanded you to be brave and strong, haven't I? Don't be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." And secondly, something Mr. Rogers once said about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

Where was God? God was with the helpers. God cried alongside the mourners. God embraced the suffering and the lost. God comforted those in distress. God walked and ran with First Responders as they sought to help, sometimes losing their own lives in the process.

I am also a retired member of our Armed Forces, and I will never forget that part of the cost of 9/11 is also measured in the loss of service members, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, since that day. Not to mention those who have come home with physical injuries that they will live with for the rest of their lives. And not all injuries are visible - stand next to a combat veteran during a fireworks display and you’ll know what I mean.

Friends, it is good to honor our country and remember this day forever. And also remember this: God is with us wherever we go, and always look for the helpers.

Peace,

Jim

Where have I been?

Whew.

I've been away for a while. Pastoring a local church and negotiating change in a 200+ year old institution can be consuming. Here's a random thought for today, and a recommitment to try to get by here more often.

I love riding roller coasters, mostly wooden ones, although I do like some of the metal coasters. I've used coasters as a reference point for life, but never been fully clear on the dynamics of it.

You could say life is full of ups and downs, with the natural connotation being downs are less desirable than ups.

Or you could think of it as: life when climbing a hill is slow and uneventful, and you get the real rush and thrill while going downhill really fast.

Or maybe life starts out with lots of highs and lows, and eventually they get smaller and smaller until there aren't any more.

And then the Bible tells us that the mountains will be made low, and the valleys will rise up, so maybe level and flat is the way to go. 

The problem with having high levels of empathy is that I can look at both sides multiple ways.

So, my friend, whether your coaster is going up and you want to go down, or vice versa, may it be so.

I'm SO much help.

Jim

Thoughts on Departing My Call with the Vermont Conference, UCC

Friends, I wrote this article for the weekly e-newsletter of the Vermont Conference during my last week there. My call ended on September 30, 2017, and I began a new call as the Pastor of Atkinson Congregational Church in Atkinson NH on October 15, 2017.

Well, here it is, friends, my last e-kit article. It's ok, you can cheer, I can't hear you!

When I began at the Vermont Conference more than 13 years ago, my then position description contained lots of things I was supposed to do - and that list barely overlaps with my current call agreement. It's amazing to me how my position has evolved over the years. As I reminisce a bit, however, the evolution makes sense.

When I went to interview for the position of Conference Administrator (thanks Pam!) I entered a room with no less than 15 people assembled to conduct the interview. Well, isn't this interesting, I thought. I learned something about how the staff (there were 10 of us then!)  and the  leadership communicated and understood trust. It was a fun interview for me - I had no plans to accept the position, and thus felt rather, umm, unrestrained in my responses. I'll be darned if that didn't seem to play well.

Here are some of the things that weren't in my original position description: Stewardship, Church Growth, Church Vitality, Governance, preaching in churches, and leadership retreats. How they came to be part of my work can be attributed to a single word: covenant.

I made it my mission to raise up the bond between local church and wider church. If the local church didn't see any 'value added' in a relationship with the Conference, why have one? We were well past the time when the Conference and national setting of the church could 'expect' financial support because 'it was the right thing to do' or out of some sense of obligation. I thought (and continue to think) we need to earn it. So when a local church asked for help with Stewardship, I worked to become well versed enough on the subject to share something with others. As an old mentor of mine once said, "If you think you know a subject well, try teaching it to others. That'll tell you something."  I found churches hungry for help, and saw that an in-person visit with a local church giving assistance was the quickest route to improved relationship and covenant.

As time passed other skill sets evolved, eventually working their way into my actual position description. I owe a debt of gratitude to leadership that was willing to indulge my extracurricular activities and embrace them as part of my portfolio when it was found to be something our churches needed and fit the mission of the Conference.

Forgive me for what, as I read it, sounds a bit self-indulgent. The point I'm trying to make is this: In a time when churches as a whole have become more insular, the wider church needs to ensure that its efforts provide something the local church actually wants and needs. Mutual covenant and support grows from a symbiotic relationship in which each side contributes and benefits. The current buzz word is inter-dependence, which I guess is fine, but I think covenantal still works well too.

A few years ago Carole Carlson and I developed and taught a UCC polity course which focused on polity from the local church's perspective - and the tug of war between autonomy and covenant. Our churches tend to be more familiar with the autonomy part ("You're not the boss of me!") than they are the covenant aspect. But from the very beginning the mostly unchecked power of the local church inherent in congregational polity was balanced by an understanding of mutual support, relationship, and responsibility with other churches and a wider structure. That relationship needs to be continually exercised to remain strong and vital.

My friends, let me leave you with this thought. Local churches - nurture your relationship with your association, conference, and the United Church of Christ. There are things we can do together that no church can do alone, and skill sets you require that won't be available in-house. And my dear Vermont Conference, always be listening, always be responsive, always seek to provide the churches what they need - free of the institutional quicksand that can make you slow to grasp and evolve.

Many of you have reached out to me with a personal note. I have, alas, not been able to respond to them all. Please know that I cherished each of them. It's been a wonderful 13 years. Thank you all for your love, encouragement and support. I return to the local church from whence I came, answering a call to return to parish ministry. But a piece of my heart will always remain with you.

Peace,

Jim