Monday, May 19, 2008

My New Church



I have amazing news. Last week I was called to be the Parish Minister of a church about 30 miles from my home. They are celebrating their 200th anniversary this year, and own two historic buildings. Most importantly, they are a really cool group of people. There are less than 50 souls all together, which will be an exciting challenge for me, since I have never served a "Family Size" congregation. There are about a dozen children who participate, and it buoyed my spirit to see how well they were integrated and embraced by the whole congregation. I had crossed my fingers that I might find a small congregation near Ithaca to serve once we decided this would be our new home, and my wish has come true. More, they are active and caring and creative and even have a drum circle!

The settlement begins August 1, but I am already ordering books on small church ministry. The commute is not ideal, and I regret the enlarged carbon footprint, but the drive is amazingly beautiful, and the little winding 2 lane route seems more restful than rush hour on the 101 or the 880 in California. (Auto Mall Parkway). In many ways this church is a foil to the last one I served. It will be a half time position in a part of the world with a slower pace of life. I will be the only paid staff of the church, so the office is empty most of the week. They kindly agreed to install a broadband link to the office so I could check e-mail while in the office; previously the church had no e-mail. (After the 100 e-mails a day I am used to in church life, this may be the biggest change of all). It is also an isolated liberal enclave in a conservative county. To quote the good folks of Monty Python's Flying Circus "Now for something completely Different."

4 comments:

VailWeller said...

Lucky lucky congregation! Wow. Tremendously encouraging, wonderful news, picturing you there in that beautiful place with those cool people. I can't wait to hear more.

Lyn said...

Hooray! Sounds like a great start for you and for the congregation! It give me hope for the possibility of sane ministry.

lou jones said...

i am just so happy for you. it sounds perfect and great and inspiring and fulfilling and enriching and...well, like good thick lotion when your skin is all crackly and hurty.

much love!

Akire said...

Congregation Congratulation!