December Newsletter 2014: Untethering an elephant

From the Pastor's Pen

Living (or visiting) in the Bucey household brings you into contact with all things elephant.  There are elephant paintings, elephant tapestries, elephant figurines, elephant dishes, elephant clothing, elephant everything!  I think you get the picture.  My wife, Barb, loves elephants and anything having to do with elephants.  The license plate on her car bears these letters – ELEFNT.  Enough said.

Elephants are often a topic of conversation in our home and many times have been object lessons to our kids, i.e., elephants mate for life and elephants cry.  And because of her fascination with the largest land-roaming mammal, I have come to see in them many lessons for my thoughts and my writings at this time of year.  Here goes….

A group of clergy were getting a tour of the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus Winter Headquarters in Sarasota, Florida.   To get the real feel of the circus, the ministers were allowed to enter the big top through the performers entrance at the beginning of the three-ring event.

One of the men noticed a curious thing – just outside the tent there were several elephants standing in close proximity, and around their ankles ropes were tied which were merely extending out across the grass, but tied to nothing.  The oversight was pointed out to the handler, to which he replied, “Oh, don’t worry.  We never tie them up.  We just tie a rope around their leg and drop it, and they think they’re tied up.”

How many of us imagine ourselves tied up to something from which we cannot get away, when in truth, our ropes are in our heads and hearts and not on our hands and feet.  I could stop here, but I’ll make a couple of Advent comments which better describe our tethering.

How often is our gift-giving celebration lessened by the question, “Well, what did they get us (or me) last year?” as we attempt to get just the right gift for a seldom-seen relative?  Or, how often do we break the bank or the credit card bill in an attempt to show our love when what most people really want is to be loved.  PERIOD.  How many times do we get frustrated at the mall at canned Christmas music which started just after Halloween?  And how many times have we sat back on Christmas morning watching the toddler playing with the box and/or the wrapping paper wondering if it was worth all the fuss?

                    

Why are we so struck by the elephant’s inability to break free from the tethering rope?  I think it is because we enjoy the feeling that we’re secure. We really enjoy all the gift-giving because it gives us a sense that we have mimicked God’s gift-giving at Christmas.  We feel safely tethered to the thought that we are required to do the “Christmas Thing” rather than getting into intimate conversations about Emanuel  --  God with us.

At least the elephant is “fooled” into thinking he/she is confined.  We actually do this to ourselves.  We tie the rope and then drop it.  It is safer that way.  Let’s not be fooled this year. This Advent and Christmas Season we have an opportunity to un-tether ourselves and get at the real meaning of Christmas  --  that God decided to come and live among us, not to give gifts, but to love us.  It is really that simple.  Untether yourself.

November Newsletter 2014: The Pony Express is Coming

From the Pastor's Pen

Our church’s PONY EXPRESS “RUN” will start Sunday, November 9.

Shortly thereafter, a fellow member will deliver to you a SPECIAL

SADDLEBAG containing “CHURCH MAIL”.

Here’s All You Need To Do:

1. Lift the saddlebag flap.  Remove from the pouch the stewardship reading material you will find there.  Reflect on the message it contains.  Then, return this printed matter to the same pouch.

2. Next, remove from this pouch the envelope bearing your name.  Inside you will find an “ESTIMATE OF GIVING” CARD for you and other family members.  Fill in the amount of the tithes and offerings you expect to present to God through your church during the coming year.  Seal the card securely in the envelope and place it in the pouch on the other side of the bag.

3. Now – and extremely important – complete your part of the RUN by quickly relaying the saddlebag of CHURCH MAIL to the next family on the Route List in the see-through window.  Please phone ahead to make sure they are home.  Please make every effort to complete your part of the RUN within 24 hours after you receive the saddlebag…and sooner if possible!  DO NOT JUST LEAVE THE BAG.

4. After you have “delivered the mail”, immediately call the “TRAIL BOSS” whose name and phone number are at the bottom of the Route List.  Tell the Trail Boss that you have just completed your part of the RUN.  (If your Trail Boss does not hear from you within one day, he or she will be phoning you.)

IS IT AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS?

Yes.  And it will be highly effective IF you and our other members keep our Church Mail moving along on schedule.  Like the early day riders of the Pony Express, the success of our church’s relay effort depends on the dedication, commitment, and teamwork of every person.  And – as a key member of our team – we’re counting on you!

October Newsletter 2014: Do You Hear the Hoof Beats?

From the Pastor's Pen

Pilgrim Church has chosen an exciting Pony Express program for this year’s financial stewardship campaign, which starts Sunday, November 9th, when the PONY EXPRESS officially gets underway. The Pony Express method, used successfully in thousands of other churches nationwide, is styled after the famous Pony Express relay system.   It relies heavily on teamwork.  The teamwork is centered around a General Manager, supervising Station Agents, each supervising five Trail Bosses.

Each Trail Boss will oversee a neighborhood Pony Express Route composed
of eight homes.  Each family will be asked to be a Route Rider, relaying a Saddlebag to a nearby family.  Route Riders will deliver the Saddlebag containing Stewardship materials and your Estimate of Giving Card.  After reading the material, you will want to fill in your card, seal it in an opaque envelope and insert the envelope in the Saddlebag.  Then you will be asked to hand-carry the Bag to the next family on the Route List attached to the Bag Strap.

You will be able to make your decision about your giving to God through your church in the privacy of your own home without another member present to solicit your response.

The Pony Express theme was chosen because of the example set by the highly dedicated riders of the original Pony Express.  In addition to their personal commitment, the secret of their success lay in the ability to work as a team – each rider dependent on the other to make the relay system work and speed the mail on to its next destination.

Likewise, the success of Pilgrim United Church of Christ depends on the dedication, commitment, and teamwork of each of our members.

Listen for the hoof beats.  See you on the trail.

September Newsletter 2014: “E” is for Excellence

From the Pastor's Pen

Along with the downsizing of the American Protestant Church has come many other issues just as painful as decreased revenue and lower attendance.  My ministry of forty years has spanned the spectrum from churches bursting at the seams in the 1970’s to today’s declining churches.  One of the hallmarks of the “hay day” of the church was the Sunday School, now referred to as the Church School.

It goes without saying that Christian Education in our churches is made even more difficult with declining numbers.  Church School was a demanding endeavor back in the day, and it is even more difficult today.  Nowhere has this been more evident than here at Pilgrim UCC.

Well, that’s about to change.  Enter the new and improved Pilgrim Church School.

After weeks of planning and staffing, the Board of Christian Nurture is proud to announce a new approach to Christian Education. Beginning Sunday September 21st, our children in grades K-5 will be experiencing an adventure on Sunday morning more like our award winning Vacation Bible School.  Here’s how it will operate.

Utilizing teams of two or more adult leaders, the children will meet in a large, combined group for the introduction of a themed four week program.  As an example, let’s say the theme for the month is Creation.  For the first Sunday the emphasis will be on learning about the biblical understanding of creation utilizing the Genesis accounts.  The children will read and hear the accounts as a basis for what it means to create and be created.

The second week would entail the children actually creating something.  Through a craft experience, the children will learn the intricacies of creation first hand.  On the third Sunday, through a song or skit, the children will be visualizing how they can display their knowledge through the arts.  And on the final Sunday of the term, the children will perform their skit or song for the congregation during worship and/or display their crafts in the narthex.

To aid in the planning and execution of this bold venture, Pilgrim UCC is proud to announce the hiring of Dana Johnson, our new Director of Family Ministries.  Dana will be writing the curriculum and recruiting teachers for this new and exciting phase in our educational endeavor.  Join me in welcoming Dana as we launch this exciting chapter in the Christian Education of our most valuable assets – our children.

June 2014 Newsletter

From the Pastor's Pen

Proposed Pilgrim UCC Open and Affirming Statement

"As a faith community created in God's image, we are called to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us.  We seek to unite persons of all ages, family makeup, races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, mental and physical abilities, economic status, and theological backgrounds.  Everyone is welcome into all aspects of church life as we celebrate the image of God in every person."
Adopted by Council May 27, 2014

At its May 27th meeting our Church Council adopted the above statement as Pilgrim UCC's Proposed Open and Affirming Statement.  As a way of better explaining what being an Open and Affirming Church might look and sound like, the Council presents this proposed statement in the sincere hope that each individual will take it upon himself/herself to be better informed about this important step in the life of Pilgrim Church.  It is concise and all-inclusive. 

It is, for now, the starting point for discussion, prayer, and discernment.  It is not official until all members have had the chance to read and re-read it and then vote at a yet to be determined Congregational Meeting.  In the meantime, read it, grasp it, break it down, take it to heart. 

Your questions may be directed to me or any council member. 

May 2014 Newsletter

From the Pastor's Pen

"Three Vignettes"

#1
There once was a young minister who had assembled quite a following among his constituents.  On a particular day he had been preaching on a hillside for some time when it was brought to his attention that the people were famished; they needed to eat.  Calling his associate ministers together, he inquired as to what plans had been made to feed them.  Not only had no plans been made to feed the throng, there was nothing for the staff.

The minister asked the staff to pull together what they could from those assembled.  Two fish and five loaves of bread was all they could muster.  The minister said, "Great work, guys.  Let's do this."  To his surprise they responded that the allotted amount would not even feed them.  Ignoring their lack of foresight, he blessed the food and proceeded to distribute it.

To the staff's great surprise, everyone was fed and there were so many leftovers every staff member had enough to share with still more hungry people.

#2
A certain shoe company sent two sales representatives to the jungles of Africa many years ago to set up territories for the distribution of shoes.  Within hours of arrival, the first representative sent word back to the home office which read: "STOP.  Send no shoes.  The people here don't even wear shoes!"  The following day, after much thought and prayer, the second representative sent this hopeful missive: "Attention: Manufacturing Department.  Send all available shoes.  No one here has shoes to wear!  The territory is wide open!" The shoe company's sales skyrocketed.

#3
Following the economic downturn of 2008, a certain west side church found itself needing to operate on a greatly reduced amount of revenue.  There was much chatter by church leadership as to what to do about the impending doom.  The church would surely not be able to continue its ministry.  If there was not enough money, they could not continue.  What would they do?  How long could they last?

Then one day the church came across two stories, one about a minister needing to feed his congregation and one about a shoe company.  After much, much prayer the church vowed to see their situation as on opportunity to look at life through the eyes of abundance and not scarcity.  They focused on opportunities for additional ministry right in the midst of economic despair.  What do you suppose happened to the west side congregation?

April 2014 Newsletter

From the Pastor's Pen

Easter is About Change

Over fifty years ago, September 3, 1962, to be exact, a great change took place in Sweden. The

nation had been faced with a monumental dilemma for many years. Nearly all of Sweden’s cars were left-hand-drive (same as ours), but they still drove on the left. Imagine the problems. Drivers found themselves on the side of the car nearest the curb while it was the passenger who sat closest to oncoming traffic. Add to this the fact that all neighboring countries had already changed to driving on the right. Imagine the confusion at the borders. A decision of mammoth proportions was in the offing.

In the late 1950’s it was decided that on the assigned date, all traffic would shift to the right side of the road. But, how would it be accomplished? Nearly five years went into the planning. Pamphlets were distributed; training classes were held; general announcements were made throughout the country. And then the day came.

At 11:45 a.m. on September 3rd, all traffic stopped.  The law stated that all drivers would remain in their cars for a full five minutes in place.  Nothing would move.  Then five minutes was given for all vehicles to s-l-o-w-l-y make their way to the other side.  During this time black tape was placed over existing stripes in roadways and new yellow lines were uncovered.  Then another five minutes was given for each driver to contemplate and anticipate their next move at 12:00 noon ---driving on the right!

Then the signal was given.  All traffic proceeded to move forward ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD.  It was orderly.  No one got exasperated.  People treated each other with respect.  Within a very few minutes, all traffic was moving forward in an orderly fashion---smoothly and briskly.  A major change had come and gone without incident.  Change had taken place. 

The secret to the Swedish highway change can teach us something about change (conversion).  It is the stopping and changing direction that is the key.  The Hebrew word shuv (to turn) is at the root of any conversion.  Our Jewish ancestors understood it.  Jesus and the Apostles proclaimed it.  We must strive for it.  It is that time between the decision and the change which is crucial. 

As we face changes in our church over the next few years, let's remember the lessons learned from Sweden.  Let us be open to the very real possibility that what Pilgrim needs to offer the community is different from what has been the norm.  That kind of change may very well be in the offing.  Let us pray that the change is carefully implemented.  And, furthermore, let us pray that we can, in an orderly fashion, grasp the change and fully understand the mean of shuv (to turn).

Conversion (change) in the ministry of Pilgrim Church will take place in a similar fashion as it does in one's own heart - slowly and intentionally.  Let us be in prayer about the conversion of the program and ministry of this church.  May we prayerfully approach opportunities to be the very best disciples.

President Obama said in his 2011 State of the Union Address, "We cannot win the future with a government of the past."  I want to turn the phrase slightly and say, "We cannot win the future with a Church of the past."  Let's be open to positive change (conversion) as we look to increase ministry opportunities.