Runners Feeding Others

The Largest Table has been selected as the fund-raising recipient of a newly organized UCC effort, Runners Feeding Others for the Nationwide Columbus Marathon, October 18, 2009. If you are participating with the race, please consider linking up with RFO to make your marathon (or half-marathon or 5K race) about more than just exercise.

Runners Feeding Others is the creation of Steve Wylie, a running member of First Grace United Church of Christ in Akron. He dreamed up the concept before competing in the Cleveland half marathon in May, and came home with donations for 2,500 pounds of food for the First Grace food pantry. Conference Minister, Bob Molsberry, thought that was a pretty good idea, so he's bringing it to the Nationwide Columbus Marathon (where he finished second last year). Rev. Leslie Carole Taylor, pastor of Trinity UCC in Thornville, is bringing a team from her church and designing T-shirts to commemorate the event. Want to get involved? Here's how:

• Share this initiative with others who might be participating in the Columbus Marathon races October 18.
• Contact Bob Molsberry (bobm@ocucc.org) to sign up for the very loose "team" that is being created. No worries about pre-existing conditions, dues, qualifying pace standards, or income levels. No meetings to attend. Just sign up, solicit donations for The Largest Table, run your race, and send your money in.
• Send checks on behalf of your favorite runner to The Largest Table, St. John's United Church of Christ, 59 East Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. (If you didn't have a favorite runner, you do now. Bob Molsberry will be glad to forward your donations to St. John's.)
  
  Technical T-shirts will be available before the race. Price and design will be forthcoming. You must pay in advance (checks to Ohio Conference UCC, 6161 Busch Blvd. #95, Columbus, OH 43229).
  
  

Why Bother? Part Two

Yesterday I blogged about why I "bother" to go to the General Synod, and likened it to why I bother to the read the news, or enter into dialogue about issues that have no apparent resolution. There is another reason I "bother" to go; and it is the same reason I "bother" with worship. Worship - long before I was a pastor - was a central and essential part of my life.

At its best, worship reminds me of my highest aspirations and connects me to God as well as to the larger community. When I am struggling, I realize there are others who are struggling also. When I am too proud or too focused on myself, worship pulls me out of my self-centeredness and focuses me on a larger picture.

At Synod, we had some inspiring worship experiences with marvelous preaching, and wonderful singing. I only knew a handful of people but I felt connected through our common bond in Christ. Today I am looking forward to being in my home congregation where I know and am known by nearly everyone. It's not a bother; it's a blessing!

Why Bother?

With every new members class I find myself talking about how the autonomy (or the freedom) each congregation in the United Church of Christ has is both a blessing and burden. This freedom is certainly a blessing because we are free to govern ourselves and make our own decisions; we can live as fully into God's call for us as we are attentive, inspired, and willing to do. Yet, it is also a burden for these very same reasons. Within our denomination there is no one who will mandate what our position should be on an issue, or whether we should restructure ourselves, or change hymnals, or perform commitment ceremonies. That sounds great until we realize that in order to bring about change we must risk initiating those changes. We must risk being the one to take a stand or initiate dialogue. There is no larger structure to hide behind with the excuse that "they are making us do this!"

Upon returning from the General Synod, I have had a couple of people ask me (essentially), "Why Bother?" Why bother going to the national meeting when there is nothing that really happens with any authority? Why bother going through the whole resolution process and sitting through discussions and plenarys when all that ends up happening is that the national church gives us some recommendations?

On this Independence Day, I woke up and realized that my answer to "Why Bother?" is much the same as to why I listen to the news, why I read different perspectives, why being a part of a community is so important to me. If I live in my own little world (as comfortable as that can be), I can't possibly live responsibly. If I am not aware of different problems and perspectives, how can I respond to them?

At the Synod we spent much time talking about the challenges we still face with racism. We didn't solve the problems, but I became more sensitive to them, as well as more hopeful for the future because I know there are many who care. I felt stretched by things I have heard and found myself reflecting more deeply on the intersections of race and poverty, race and our criminal justice system, race and education. I am not sure where that is leading yet, but I know I was helped by the discussion.

I came upon this photograph titled Freedom is the Possibility of Isolation. It is titled after a quote from "The Book of Disquiet" by Fernando Pessoa. I am one who loves the beautiful sand and sky and times of isolation; yet on this Independence Day, I am saying a prayer of thanks for the community that pulls me into relationship and responsibility.

Immersed in Worship Ideas

One of the things that I have been watching closely here at Synod are the many ways worship participants have been pulled into the experience through all of their senses. Yesterday I learned of the team that met last November to plan how they might bring to life the theme, "Immerse Yourself" in Grand Rapids. From the evocative stage and energetic dancers to the varied music and litanies, we have been wading deep into this theme that draws from the gift of water.


The Rev. Alexandra Childs, a pastor at Alameda (California) First Congregational Church coordinated the physical set. It took Childs and a dozen other volunteers five days to create the handpainted 25 x 42 foot canvas that serves as a backdrop, (the floor actually) for the worship participants. It has whirls and wisps of blues and greens that evokes a vivid interpretation of sky, mountain, lakes, and rivers. There is also an 8 by 8 foot immersion pool at centerstage and 200 gallons of water that recycled itself over 3 levels creating a beautiful waterfall that is not only lovely to look at but wonderful and peaceful to hear. Framing these falls were plants and fieldstone. At the back wall there are two "rain panels" made out of multi-blue hued LED lighting and soft fabric.

In addition there is a jumbo screen and then many video panels throughout the hall so everyone can see everything that is happening. The images on the screens have been so thoughtfully selected that they enhance rather than distract my worship experience. Within every worship service there is a variety of musical styles and instrumentation. There is dancing. There are different languages spoken. There are many, many ways to engage each participant.

Part of my keen interest in these worship elements this year is because I have been thinking about and praying about how we might more effectively use a variety of experiences in our worship service. The space in our sanctuary is entirely different from a convention hall but the need to be attentive to all the ways people experience and learn has inspired me to try to expand what we are doing now.

Is there anyone who wants to dream about this with me?

What is important about worship?

One of my favorite hymns is Bring Many Names by Brian Wren. I like it because the lyrics challenge and broaden the images we have for God. "Strong Mother God" and "Warm Father God" are two of the names Wren uses to describe God.

Just as there is not one name for God, there is certainly not just one way to worship. At St. John's we have three distinct forms of worship and within those three different types of services there is also some variety. And that is just one congregation! Throughout the UCC, let alone other denominations, are many, many variations of worship services. I am always interested to hear what others find most inspiring and most important in a worship service.

This question is heightened in its signifiance for me this week as I have been asked speak on "Worship in the UCC" to a group of seminary students next week. I would love it if you would share your thoughts on what is most important to you about worship. Is it the music? If so, what does good worship music mean for you? Is it the sense of community, the sacraments, the prayers, or the preaching? Again, what about these things make worship feel as though you have really been in worship? And, why should we worship in the first place?

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with me!

"And A Child Shall Lead Them ..."

Last night we had a Budget & Finance meeting. At the meeting we looked at all of the income and expense lines from 2008 and talked about what we expect for 2009. I noted that last year we collected $236 for One Great Hour of Sharing, one of the special offerings for the United Church of Christ.

This year we have already exceeded that total because of the leadership we have had from the children and youth of the church; they are leading our campaign this year. At the beginning of March, the children passed out treasure chest coin boxes and devotional guides to the congregation. Last week, they used the Sunday School hour and the time in the Celebration Station to bake a variety of treats which they sold following worship. I wish I had a photo of the lines of people who were eager to purchase their goods! The bake sale alone made $256.50.

We will collect the coin boxes on Easter Sunday and I have no doubt that we will at least double our offering from last year. I love the enthusiasm the children of the church are creating for this important effort!