CONGREGATION + COMMUNITY NEWS
PEOPLES PRESS
Joyfully Defiant for the Sake of a Just World
a congregation of the United Church of Christ, the Alliance of Baptists & the American Baptist Churches
INTERIM INSIGHTS
With school buses returning to the streets and more congestion around schools at certain times of day, it’s obvious that summer is winding down. I try to remember to be patient with traffic and groups of rowdy people heading past our house (we live four blocks from the campus of CMU). Maybe this is because I enjoyed my time in formal educational settings and spent some years on the other side of the oak desk as a substitute teacher. I rankled a bit when people (students and faculty) referred to me as “JUST a substitute!” I like to think that I gave some students who had a hard time connecting with their “regular” teachers an opportunity to enjoy a different presentation style, a different method, or a new insight.
Oddly enough, I still have to contend with the misconception that I am “Just a substitute.” When I took the interim ministry training way back in the early 2000s, more than one of my instructors said, “Remember, your first name is not Justin!” (as in “Just an” Interim). It is true that as an interim, there are some things that it makes no sense for me to do. I am not going to initiate programs or projects that are likely to fizzle as soon as I leave. I am not going to work hard at forging deep relationships that will necessarily end when your new minister comes. I am not going to insist that you paint the minister’s office my favorite color, or equip it with a latte steamer (well, I would not object to that last one!).
So I thought it might be well to outline briefly what a typical interim would focus on in the relatively brief time they have to work. Usually the initial days include (besides the usual learning curve of starting a new position) addressing any residual issues that are lingering from the departure of the previous minister. There can be a lot of grief, regret, disappointment and even anger that the departure occurred. And let’s be honest, there can also be relief, conflict, and resentment if things ended on a sour note. Interims are trained to identify and address things that may linger.
After getting settled in, the interim typically turns their attention to what I consider “institutional development.” We mine the church’s history for points of reference and traditions that either inspire or no longer have relevance and either use them or put them to rest. We support leadership that is in place and encourage new leaders to step up to the plate. We strengthen denominational links as a way of connecting congregations to more resources and opportunities. We identify any barriers that may exist in the decision making, planning or implementation processes. In general, we hold up the mirror so that the church can be unflinchingly honest in evaluating and deciding for a successful future, while remaining true to its purpose and identity.
Finally, as the interim nears the end of their tenure, the focus shifts to preparing for and committing to new leadership and new ministry. This includes ensuring a smooth transition to the next minister and also establishing healthy boundaries that will guide church members to reliance on their new minister for pastoral care, administrative leadership and spiritual growth.
In many educational settings, it has become common for those teaching and those learning to establish some agreement or covenant as to how things will work. I now have an agreement or covenant to do the work of an interim with and among you, but it is really your work, your future and your vision that we are trying to cultivate. If we are attentive to our roles and to the guidance of the Spirit, we will find the way God intends for us.
Pastor Dave
YOU’RE INVITED!
To come celebrate Karen Eaton's 80 years of spreading love and laughter! We look forward to seeing you and sharing stories, food, and cheer. In lieu of gifts, we invite you to bring a favorite picture of Karen to share.
Please RSVP here :
https://forms.gle/nTQbU7JBZMzyMiUv9
FINDING GROUND for ACTIVISM in SPIRITUALITY
The widely long-accepted truism that religion and science conflict with each other has wrongly kept too many scientifically minded and spiritually oriented folk at arm’s length from each other. Science and religion (reason and faith) have too long been regarded as mutually exclusive arenas. While planning a funeral with a highly educated and very intelligent family, many ministers have heard the request, “Please keep religion out of it.” This anti-religion stance sometimes appears in wedding planning with the request to keep prayers and God-talk to a minimum. For the church, this dualistic misunderstanding is a crying-out for more attention to faith enrichment through educational effort (study groups, classes, programs, individual reading and meditation, preaching, and newsletter articles).
My college experience of a religion major combined with a strong minor in biology only deepened my sense of the close interconnectedness of the two fields. Doing chromosome counts for genetics class while studying Genesis and the Psalms was a perfect marriage of curriculum for me. My prayer-life (spirituality) became grounded in a core sense of thankfulness joined with a deeper feeling of awe. Thankfulness and awe are two spiritual stances which are good to be in at the beginning and end of each day. They are good spirits to keep with you all the day through. The Psalms can be read and Hubble Space pictures can be viewed with the very same spirit of thankfulness and awe, wonder and humility.
Living out of the above personal journey, I have been pleased and excited by recent self-discoveries of healing places in the world for the reason/faith wounded-ness. The healing is provided by a movement to unite spirituality and environmental activism. On May 24, 2015, Pope Francis issued the Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home.
Op.sic.Sec.IV.93 reads:
“Whether believers or not, we are agreed today that the earth is essentially a shared inheritance, whose fruits are meant to benefit everyone. For believers, this becomes a question of fidelity to the Creator, since God created the world for everyone. Hence every ecological approach needs to incorporate a social perspective which takes into account the fundamental rights of the poor and the underprivileged. The principle of the subordination of private property to the universal destination of goods, and thus the right of everyone to their use, is a golden rule of social conduct and “the first principle of the whole ethical and social order”.[71] The Christian tradition has never recognized the right to private property as absolute or inviolable, and has stressed the social purpose of all forms of private property.”
And there is much more to be explored. The Environmental Crisis calls us to much more than attention to political action, to environmental justice and to all the other injustices in the world. An awareness is growing of our need to give attention to the spiritual side of our lives and how important this attention is to our ability to fully respond to humanity’s greatest crisis – global warming. The University of Minnesota seems to be on the forefront of work in partnering spirituality and environmental stewardship. If you are interested, the below links will get you started. The popular hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth” prays, “Let it Begin with Me.” We keep banging our heads against the wall wondering what to do and how to do it in the work of social justice and creation stewardship. Perhaps it would help to reconsider our starting point. The neat twist in the spiritual work that is being explored in the sources below and in other places, is that starting from the spiritual awareness side forces us to “let it begin with me.” Spirituality is a matter of being alongside God by going inside ourselves.
How are Spirituality and the Environment Connected? | Frank P. Daversa (frankdaversa.com)
Change Your Thinking about Planetary Health | Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing (umn.edu)
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/mindfulness-racial-justice
Kendall Brown, for the Creation/Justice Team
GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and AROUND US
Transition Update, Hello Peoples People! ! I hope this week finds you in good health and good spirits. I am enjoying every single minute of summer. Summer is my favorite season, and it ends too soon (for me!) This week we come to you asking for your assistance. We work to greet each person that joins us for service in-person and online. Our current greeters continue to offer welcoming regards each week. Now we are in need of some additional help. Below are the guidelines for what is asked of our greeters. Please reach out to Karla in the church office 810-767-4911 and get your name on the list. She will begin reaching out as well.
Also, feel free to reach out to Pastor Dave either via the church office at 810-767-4911 or through his email at davidsickelka@peopleschurchofflint.org . If you would like to schedule a personal meet and greet with Pastor Dave please call Karla at the church office. His “in-office” days are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And as always, the board and I are here to help you as you need.
FYI: for weekly sermon information, please refer to the calendar on our church webpage:
https://peopleschurchofflint.org/
Blessings,
Jamie Schmidt, Moderator
DOOR Greeter Guidelines
Arrive 15 minutes before service for those that may come early [I’d suggest at least 20…so everything is in place before folks start showing up]
Make sure there are masks and communion cups on the entry stand (stock is under this stand)
Stay near the front door to greet those joining us—it is helpful to sit toward the back of the church throughout to greet late arrivals and minimize disruptions
Ask each attendee to sign-in and take a communion cup
At this time they must be wearing a mask, and we have extras if needed
If someone is brand new, it’s nice to introduce them to a member, if possible, so they have someone to sit with during service
During the offertory, walk around with the plate/basket to collect any offerings
During announcements, collect communion cups (plastic basket and napkins to line it are in the stand)
After service please just leave the sign-in sheet on the Greeter’s stand and Karla will pick it up on Monday morning when she arrives.
ONLINE Greeter Guidelines
This can be done from home or from church (however at church, volume must be off)
Login as Peoples Church (info/access shared prior to greeting) as the service is starting
Greet each person that joins, with a welcoming message
If someone has a question that you cannot answer, let them know you will share with the appropriate person and confirm a way to reach out
Most people join in the first twenty minutes, but stay logged in and checking for new joiners throughout the service
Once the service is over, you’re all done for the day
SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
We are a church without a settled pastor. Somewhere there is a pastor who is looking for a church (whether they know it at this moment or not!). The Peoples Church nearly-completed profile is what we hope will help bring us together. As many hours as the Search Committee has spent answering detailed questions with facts and carefully worded pictures of who we are, we also recognize the hovering presence of the Spirit's leading. We are not in this alone (a most reassuring thought).
Nearly 20 years ago a colleague of mine gently asked if she could pray for me. Why, I wondered, since my life was on a good track. 'Of course' I said, rather flippantly (why not?), and I put it out of mind. A week later I learned I had a brain tumor. I am pretty sure her prayers (before I even had an inkling of the changes that lay ahead) were the foundation for the following months and I am forever grateful. The Spirit was hovering, preparing the way.
The point? We ask that you pray for our future pastor, whoever that may be. A preparatory foundation for the years we will share together. We've adapted our pre-meeting litany to include this petition and I include it here if you care to join us in our weekly recitation.
We pray for God’s holy presence amidst change.
We pray for comfort because loss is part of change.
We pray for Christ-like steadfastness during the challenges of transition and seasons of faith.
We pray for reassurance through all of our struggles.
We pray for the abundant creativity the Spirit provides.
We pray for our loved ones in this community of faith.
We pray for God’s children beyond this community.
We pray for our pastor-to-be. We pray that you prepare the way; that their heart be drawn to the vision of Peoples Church, their spirit ignited, and their faith emboldened. In your wisdom bring us together. Amen
Thanks so much!
Carla Pierik, Chair Search Committee
IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!
Thursday Book Group, is reading The History of the Bible is Black by Dr. Theron D. Williams. This book is described as, “An unveiling of truth captivating, thorough, and culturally liberating!” For more information please contact Jay Cummings at 517-392-0209.
Adult Forum, 9:30 am Sundays, is presently in-between books. We will be reading various works of poetry until our next book has been chosen. Join us either in person at church or via Zoom .
Vigil for Racial Justice is still gathering 1-2 pm Thursdays on the Genesee Courthouse lawn.
New Text Alert System. We have shifted to a new text messaging service. If you're in our church directory, you're all set. If you're not, go here to sign up!