The Congregationalist December 2023 : simplebooklet.com

Table of CONTENTS RETIREMENT MAY NOT BE YOUR HIGHEST PRIORITY RIGHT NOW WE KNOW IT S OURS When you re called to serve the concerns of others are often more important than your own Especially when it comes to thinking about your retirement MMBB looks out for your concerns We specialize in planning ahead for clergy and church staff We do all the work preparing for your future Our kind of financial expertise makes MMBB an indispensable partner for pastors and churches 110 years and counting THERE S NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW LEARN MORE MMBB org what we offer Supporting your calling is our calling TM Features 4 5th Century Perpective by Rev Dr Ashley Cook Cleere 6 From the Desk of the Editor 8 Providence and Lay Ministry by Polly Bodjanec 10 Supporting Our Pastors by Daniel Wiita Livingston 12 Mrs Peabody and the Innkeeper by Rev Justin Neier 14 Letting People Love Us by Justin Berkobien 18 Grace Church Chicken Dinner by Lisa Bircher 21 A Peace WE Seh by Rev Dr Chris Suber 22 Living Off the Map by Ronald R Johnson 24 Gather Around The Table by Rev Dr Michael Glidden 25 Letter to the Editor Departments 16 NEWS NEEDS AND PRAYERS OF OUR MISSIONS 20 NECROLOGY 26 PASTORATES AND PULPITS 27 CALENDAR ON THE COVER Devlin complete with halo and angel s wings waits backstage for his cue EDITORIAL STATEMENT All content in The Congregationalist appears by the authority of the editor We reserve freedom of expression to our authors and freedom of opinion to our readers Except for service information clearly sponsored by the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches NACCC or its component parts content does not necessarily re ect policies and opinions of the NACCC Neither The Congregationalist nor the NACCC has a creed or holds positions on social or theological issues but we recognize the authority of each local church to do so for itself if and as it wishes and we encourage thoughtful and respectful discussion of our agreements and di erences

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From the desk of Our NACCC Executive Director A FIFTH CENTURY PERSPECTIVE By Reverend Dr Ashley Cleere Executive Director National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Congregationalists in the Paci c Northwest chose A Time for Everything as the 2024 annual meeting and conference theme is allusion to Ecclesiastes 3 1 8 invites contemplation on how seasons order and muddle our lives As a local church pastor the liturgical calendar structured my preaching With each year that passed the cycle of seasons and celebrations became more familiar comfortable In 1993 inspired by the music director the deacons mixed things up July 25 fell on a Sunday so we planned a Christmas in July service We dressed in holiday colors sang carols and heard Isaiah s prophecy of the coming of the Messiah A erward the comments in the narthex were telling at was interesting and Well we ve done that In other words let s keep Christmas in December please Deliberately or unconsciously human spirits grow accustomed to events happening at particular times in speci c ways During their early years in New England the Pilgrims struggled to align their e orts with the seasons e rst landing at Plymouth in December at the start of a harsh winter meant months of su ering and the death of half their number In later years those who docked in May had to plant against the season knowing it would be sixteen or more months before they had a complete harvest Ships bringing provisions across the Atlantic only sometimes arrived in time to plant in the spring A shing boat might land too late for shing season Other delays compromised the settlers ability to barter during the best season for trade As an alternative to seasons they allowed circumstances to guide their way When declaring a time for everything the preacher in Ecclesiastes does not indicate a speci c time for everything Life events cultural shi s economic trends and other factors compel us to prepare for unplanned seasons A job promotion may spur a season of prosperity College tuition or a medical crisis may impose an era of austerity e death of a loved one commences a season of grief Adherents to faith traditions that lean on order have expressed amazement even envy at the adaptability of Congregationalism Our structure does not prescribe sequence or timing We can try out Christmas in July Vicinage Councils are held weeks or hours before an ordination Each search and call process is uniquely determined by the ingenuity and resources of the congregation and who chooses to apply People within and beyond our fold perceive the Congregational Way as a faith for our time e resourceful persistence of our New England forbearers plays out as local churches examine their contexts Establishing a new way of being church seventeenth century Massachusetts Bay Christians planted against the season Twenty rstcentury Congregationalists harvest faith based on schedules that meet the needs of their community In keeping with the day designated for worship most churches ing open their doors on Sunday morning However others 4 have moved the worship hour to Sunday evening or added a second service on another day Many congregations plant against the season with Tuesday addiction groups Wednesday food pantries ursday soup lunches and Friday pizza sales Responding to their environment rather than a rigid calendar Congregationalists identify a time for everything they are called to do Known for her writing about Christian faith and modern science Madeleine L Engle describes Advent in her poem A er Annunciation is is the irrational season When love blooms bright and wild Had Mary been lled with reason ere d have been no room for the child A liturgical season de ned by hopeful expectation summons us to set aside reason to welcome the birth of the Christ child is irrational season in history invites us to recognize that God s timing transcends human understanding and make room for new ways of being church LISTENING TOUR From Ashley s log in September A ight to San Jose carried me to my rst two stops in California I enjoyed a pleasant midday conversation at the home of Pastor Ella Ray Toscano whose congregation New Pilgrim Fellowship of Rio Vista 38 worships in an American Legion Hall She also shares God s Word through a weekly print column in the local newspaper e Congregational Church of Soquel 39 lives out their commitment to the local community in distinctive ways An ecumenical ministry providing showers to people in need occupies members on Wednesdays and Saturdays e annual Taste of Soquel lls the church courtyard with music food and drink donated by local performers and businesses I had fun serving chips and salsa and cheered with 400 other attendees when we learned that 13 000 was raised enabling the local Second Harvest organization to serve 39 000 meals 5

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FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR Maggie Helmick Dear readers I am honored and excited to introduce myself as the incoming editor of e Congregationalist First and foremost I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to Marianne our outgoing editor for the warm encouragement and sage insight she has o ered me as I step into this role and embrace my vision for this publication s future Marianne s dedication to e Congregationalist has been truly inspiring I admire her work greatly and consider it a privilege to follow in her footsteps My journey to this moment has been one of intellectual curiosity and spiritual exploration I recently graduated from Harvard Divinity School with a Master in eological Studies degree and before that I pursued Religious Studies as an undergraduate at West Virginia University e study of religious thought and discourse has always felt like a calling to me and I view this opportunity as the guided next step in that profound journey As the new editor I eagerly look forward to sharing the diverse and thoughtful voices of the Congregational community through the pages of this magazine I am dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations engaging with readers and addressing the topics that matter most to you I want e Congregationalist to be a platform where we can explore celebrate and challenge the beliefs and values held among us As I begin to conceptualize and construct my rst edition of e Congregationalist for the March issue I am excited to be implementing a transition to a thematic format where each volume will be focused around a central theme I ve decided it would be tting to begin with what could be considered the most central tenets of Congregational life faith freedom and fellowship as the rst three themes of 2024 I hope that when a theme alights a spark in you you will reach out to contribute whether that be o ering a topic you d like to see discussed proposing a theme you think would be engaging or composing an article poem piece of art or any other medium of communication you might enjoy I am here to support you throughout that creative process always happy to o er as little or as much guidance as you may need from ghostwriting to cowriting to simply editing Your input and feedback will be invaluable as we embark on this undertaking together I am eager to be in conversation with you about what you wish to read on these pages and the direction you would like to see this publication go Together I believe we can make e Congregationalist an ever more vibrant and enriching space for the Congregational Christian community Warmly Maggie Helmick mhelmick NACCC org Dear Editor I remain very grateful to have been the recipient of the Harry Butman Award at the 2023 Annual Meeting and Conference of the National Association of Congregational Churches in Milwaukee Wisconsin and thank the several individuals who made presentations and gave comments at that time Further I appreciate the coverage of that occasion in the September 2023 edition of e Congregationalist However I do need to make one correction to a statement made in the article about the Butman Awards It is noted In June Dr Packer resigned as Dean of the NACCC Congregational Foundation for eological Studies CFTS is is not accurate e position of Dean of CFTS was rolled into the position of Director of Programs for the NACCC currently held by the Rev Dr Gerry Krupp In responses I received before during and following the NACCC Annual Meeting and Conference I was disappointed to learn how much of a surprise this change has been for many in the NACCC For some it seemed that even if there was some slight or general awareness of the creation of the Director of Programs position it was not recognized that the intention was to subsume the Dean of CFTS role into that larger o ce which includes oversight of the Lay Ministry Training program on which I worked as Dean of CFTS as well I trust that this understanding will continue to be known and shared among the churches of the Association Rev Dr Charles A Packer 6 Established in 1849 The Congregationalist has been a notable presence providing resources for local churches promoting just causes defining and shaping the Congregational Way The Congregationalist has been published continuously since 1958 by the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches ENSURE THE TRADITION CONTINUES DONATE TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES Please cut and send to The Congregationalist NACCC PO Box 288 Oak Creek WI 53154 Yes Please use my our gift to support the Congregational Way through The Congregationalist Editor s Round Table 1 000 Henry Martyn Dexter Society 500 999 Edward Beecher Society 250 499 Elias Smith Connexion 100 249 Sustaining __________ Other A check is enclosed made payable to the NACCC Please Charge my credit card Mastercard Visa Amount ____________________ Card Number_______________________________ CVV Code ____________ Expiration Date _______ 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PROVIDENCE AND LAY MINISTRY in Stafford Springs Connecticut By Polly Bodjanec Call it God s providence or perhaps God ordained but God brought a phlebotomist named Marilyn Tirado into a lab appointment with Reverend Hector Mendez in March 2020 e two hit it o right away discovering they were both Puerto Rican and could communicate in Spanish Always friendly and inviting Hector extended an invitation to Marilyn and her then anc Harry Vega to join him for Sunday worship Marilyn and Harry entered the doors of the Sta ord Springs Congregational Church SSCC in June of that year and the rest is history Hector instantly saw something special about this couple He o ciated their wedding in September 2020 and shortly therea er they joined the church Hector found that Marilyn and Harry brought energy and the desire that their faith be nourished prompting Hector to tell them about the Lay Ministry Training Program LMTP Sta ord Springs Congregational Church was gathered in its current location in 1850 e original building was lost in a ood and rebuilt as a cornerstone of central downtown Sta ord e town of Sta ord is the third largest town in land area in Connecticut e region has lots of forests lakes and rivers for its community to enjoy SSCC joined the NACCC in 2008 and is currently pastored by Rev Hector and his wife Diane Rev Hector completed his M Div at Christian eological Seminary in Indianapolis Indiana in 1987 Diane has a master s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling and they have been working together in various forms of ministry for many years Hector was serving as a Lay Minister at a church in Miami Florida when his mentor Dr Samuel Pagan encouraged Hector to enter seminary and pastor his own church Ever since Hector has made it his mission to raise up others to more fully serve their church and if called lead in ministry Rev Mendezy Hector believes all churches should seek to raise up leaders from their congregations to go forth whether into the mission or ministry eld In order for the church to continue to grow it must continue to raise up leaders Hector values the Congregational Way because it encourages the people to participate and to be active in the structure of the church worship service and its purpose in the community And that s where Harry and Marilyn t in As a couple they have much to o er the church says Hector as they truly complement each other ey both enjoy missionary work and take turns lling in at the pulpit At rst giving sermons was scary for both of them but over time they have become more comfortable Hector remembers the days when he rst started out as a pastor and giving sermons was a challenge for him too Now he is very comfortable in this role and freely shares his knowledge and experience with others Marilyn and Harry are Cohort A students in the Lay Ministry Program o ered by the NACCC and are in the third and nal year of the program Along with six other Cohort A students they will graduate in June in a ceremony at the NACCC Annual Meeting in Spokane Washington Marilyn and Harry are currently mentored by Hector s wife Diane is past summer Diane decided also to enter the Lay Ministry Training Program so SSCC now supports three students in this program Diane wrote in her Lay Ministry application As the First Lady supporting my husband 8 in his ministry for the past 30 years I have concluded that it is my time And as a mentor to two LMTP students for the past two years I would like to be able to prepare myself for the pulpit Diane has joined Cohort C with ve other LMTP students who are in year one of their studies SSCC stands strong in support of their three students e congregation has been supporting all the LMTP students in prayer that they are able to keep up with the workload as most also manage full time jobs e church is also able to support the students nancially helping to pay for tuition and books e students in turn help ll the pulpit and share in other ministry work Diane currently serves as the church s delegate to their regional association the Northeast Fellowship is group of churches is also very supportive with both prayer and nances of the Lay Ministry students in the Northeast Fellowship area As part of their assignments Harry and Marilyn have interviewed older members of the congregation to better understand the history of SSCC ey keep the congregation apprised of their studies when they have completed a tough class or earned a certi cate for completing a year of studies During the three year learning process LMTP students discern where and how God is calling them to serve upon graduation Harry and Marilyn are still discerning how God is calling them but one thing is for sure God has great plans for them If you d like to learn more about the Lay Ministry Training Program visit our page on the NACCC website https www naccc org educationprograms ccl lay ministry trainingprogram or contact Laura Wright at lwright naccc org or Polly Bodjanac at pollybodjanac gmail com Preston City Congregational Church Where friends become family Minister Position Available Gathered in 1698 Our well established church in a small rural community is seeking a full time dynamic pastor with a strong faith who can nurture support and share God s Word and His love to our all accepting congregation Our Church Information Form is available at naccc org For a closer look please visit our website www prestoncitycongregational org 9

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Supporting OUR PASTORS by Daniel Wiita Livingston Since joining Congregationalism over two decades ago I ve noticed a trend of vacant and open pulpits e challenges facing seminaries and churches in attracting attendees trickle down impacting congregations and broader communities is issue is not unique to Congregationalism but a ects nearly every denomination in the United States According to Lifeway Research in 2022 only 18 of Americans reported attending church regularly It is no secret that 9 out of 10 Protestant churches across the United States report lower attendance in this new post pandemic reality We live in a world in heavy need of salvation While there seems to be an overwhelming sense of spiritual strife church numbers are not ful lling the Great Commission as pastors have hoped e challenge for churches is demonstrating their legitimacy to their communities Why is it essential to be a Christian e United States is a mission eld now is the time for us to rise to the call to serve a hurting nation and its communities of spiritually starving people in need of the love and care of Christ Jesus expects big things from us Truly truly I say to you whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do and greater works than these will he do because I am going to the Father John 14 12 ESV My concern surpasses the lack of people coming through the church doors My concern is very much that our society accepts spiritual poverty as the norm While people su er their rescue lies within a church just a few blocks around the corner e church must go to the people instead of expecting the people to come to the church as we are dealing with a third and fourth generation with little to no church experience In my years as a Christian I have witnessed the terrorist attacks of September 11th economic recessions slow deaths of loved ones in the opioid epidemic and the COVID 19 pandemic In these ominous and tragic events church doors were wide open but were we ready to take on the huddled masses in the nation s sanctuaries Before the technological age going out and making disciples meant taking a Bible and going door to door throwing festivals big or small or hosting a tent revival With the invention of the internet we have endless ways to get the word out yet the internet contributes to poor attendance as people would rather watch at home In our hurting world it is time for the saints to go marching in We must take on the burdens of our community and I cannot stress enough that this must be a We e ort If our community weeps we weep with them e huddled masses are not coming to us the church must go to them Reaching the spiritually poor can be challenging but it is a challenge that needs to be taken with the utmost seriousness and approached head on by all For the rst time in years Mt Hope Congregational Church s membership is on the rise a er Reverend Doctor Je rey M Luchun s launch of new programs and activities for church and community members Between an October festival called Pumpkin Palooza an Easter event known as Eggaroo rebooted Vacation Bible Schools called SummerFest and SummerNights various Bible study opportunities throughout the week activities for seniors and the establishment of a nursery Je has created activities to welcome people of all ages and all walks of life into the church community His programs demonstrate that there is something for all to do when it comes to spreading the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ We need to have a love for people Je explains We can show our love for God by showing our love for people With pastors like Je across the country working harder than ever in this modern age we must ensure they are well supported We o en forget they are the ones out there ghting evil on a 24 hour basis continually battling the world s depravity literally and metaphorically We also forget that the strongest and most stoic are o en those who should be checked on the most e job can be invisible thankless and exhausting and there is no rest in this turbulent world 10 Daniel Wiita Livingston entered into Congregationalism in 2002 and continues to serve as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher at Mount Hope Congregational Church in Livonia Michigan He works full time serving his community as a Peer Recovery Coach helping those with alcohol and drug addictions Daniel graduated from Schoolcraft College with an associate degree in Fire Science He continues his education in the Lay Ministry Training Program with the aspirations of helping Congregational Churches and serving their surrounding communities What can you do to support 1 Ask your pastor how you can help 2 Focus on engaging youth and young adults 3 Learn your community s needs such as food security seasonal clothing rehabilitation resources and childcare and act to alleviate them 4 Use technology to bring your church visibility by sharing about it with your online community 5 Become aware of the goals of your church and how you may be able to contribute to the ful llment of them No one person can hold the world on their shoulders and they never should We are all called to go out and make disciples while maintaining our spiritual discipline to our Heavenly Father You did not choose me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give it to you John 15 16 ESV One of many things I love about Mt Hope Congregational Church is how well we look a er our inner ock Calling on one another throughout the week can go a long way for the spiritual health of individuals and the church dampening the blow of lonely times and reducing future woes No pastor should have the sole responsibility of tending to the spiritual health of the entire church We all must carry each other s burdens and check on the welfare of one another We have a duty to one another as Paul explained Bear one another s burdens and so ful ll the law of Christ Galatians 6 2 ESV It was told to me by a long time friend who is also a pastor A church that does not look a er its ock is a church that will have a hard time attracting new members We need to sustain a zeal and love for people and to share that love and grace giving it to the masses as it has been given freely to us by the sacri ce of others ere is work to be done in a hurt world We are to go out and ght evil and recruit people to our ranks continually as Jesus Christ commanded us to do Just as eleven disciples went out and changed the course of the whole world by tirelessly telling of the glory of God and His son Jesus Christ We are the defenders of the faith Matthew 28 18 20 ESV Mark 16 15 ESV Luke 24 44 49 ESV John 20 21 ESV Acts 1 8 ESV Congregationalists have a duty in the 21st century Despite a new generation of pastors pursuing innovative strategies in an ever changing and technologically advancing world our pastors need our help more than ever e contemporary challenges that face our churches become more apparent by the day and we all know that more hands create lighter work ere is a hurting world out there that needs Jesus Let s meet the needs of the 21st century Sound the trumpet and strike the drums ere is great work to be done Alaska State Capitol Juneau Alaska Alaskan politicians are praying on National Prayer Day Image Taken on May 4th 2023 By Daniel Wiita Livingstonion 11

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Mrs Peabody AND THE INNKEEPER By Rev Justin Neier Oh yes the traditional children s Christmas pageant Just the mere mention of such a thing should bring up wonderful and joy lled memories for many of you reading this Now as with most things they have gone through various updates and changes through the years but in my most humble opinion nothing can beat the traditional program with its very well known and treasured cast of characters Mary Joseph angels shepherds and of course the innkeeper Every few years I challenge the new kids at the church usually stated during a kid s sermon during the Advent Season I look at them take a hundred dollar bill out of my pocket and tell them the following I will give this hundred dollar bill to the rst child that can nd in their Bible the name of the innkeeper It quickly becomes quite entertaining watching them page through the closest Bible they could nd One year I had a set of twins work together a er agreeing on a 50 50 split It then became a lesson on Bible study and artistic license simply because as many of you know the innkeeper does not exist I always thought the innkeeper must have been created for the kid that didn t want to be just a shepherd but the role of Joseph was already taken Plus the line is always a variation of sorry I don t have any more rooms but you can use the stable It s a great way to set up the pivotal scene that takes place soon a er One year our dear friend and notorious church member Mrs Peabody was directing our Christmas pageant To say she treasured that role would be a vast understatement During practices I felt that all she needed was one of those chairs with her name on the back She was in her element she was exactly where she felt she needed to be Mrs Peabody Producer Director Choreographer for the greatest Christmas pageant that ever was or ever will be would have said the billboard maybe During the rst practice all the parts were given out Joseph Mary the Shepherds the Angels the Main Angel and then the Innkeeper at part went to her grandson Rupert Peabody Even during the rst practice one of the girls in the cast said out loud what kind of name is Rupert To which our beloved director exclaimed the following Rubert was the name of my husband s great great uncle Rupert Maximillius Peabody who was a leader of industry and model of integrity among the men of his age Now dear reader if one were to google the name Rupert Maximillius Peabody you will not come up with a Wikipedia page or anything of the sort But family legend is family legend and that is what she exclaimed to the cast Now Rupert Peabody the innkeeper was not a leader of industry and not a model of anything Rubert was a ten year old kid with the name Rupert He was quiet wore glasses with lenses an inch thick and sni ed all the time Seriously he was the kind of kid that didn t say anything was always looking down at his shoes and you just wanted to scream at him to blow his nose Well at these things go and you know what I mean Rupert was the director s grandson and more importantly he was her grandson so he was going to get a part But Rupert being as shy as he was I think there was a fear he couldn t handle Joseph so the innkeeper with his two lines that should work just perfectly Practice a er practice was the same Mary and Joseph would come up to the innkeeper s door with Mary riding a very impressive donkey on wheels at year s sets were designed and built by one of our members at included the donkey big enough and strong enough to hold a young lady e front of the inn itself was impressive with a window and door that opened and closed but I digress Practice a er practice they would come up to the inn s door knock and Rupert would come out And every time he would deliver his two lines so quietly you couldn t hear him and so quickly 12 The Reverend Justin J Nierer is the lead pastor of Sandstone Congregational Church in Jackson Michigan He absolutely loves being a Congregationalist adores the NACCC and enjoys spending time with his wife Seneca and their son Wesley He can be reached any time via email at theoutreachguy hotmail com you questioned if he said them at all Finally they had to put a wireless mic on the donkey itself to pick up Rupert s whisper Mrs Peabody pleaded with Rupert to slow down Every time he said Sorry there is no room at the inn but you can use my stable my heart broke You just wanted to jump on stage give the kid a hug and say it s okay it s all going to be okay e night of the big production arrived e stage was set the costumes were on the sanctuary was at standing room only and the smile on our director s face could not be measured I don t think I had ever seen her that happy before She was prepared not just for a kid s Christmas pageant but to be loved by all for what she helped create e lights went down and the show started It opened with the Angel visiting Mary and then visiting Joseph en the Narrator tells them they need to go to Bethlehem so we then see the two of them crossing the stage with Mary riding the impressive donkey on wheels As they ended their journey all the lights went o only to blink back on revealing the front of the inn with Rupert at the door e scene is set and we see Mary and Joseph coming from the other end of the stage Mary on the donkey Joseph pulling them along ey stop right in front of the inn Now was Rupert s time to shine so to speak Remember they come up to the inn and Rupert is to say the following Sorry there is no room at the inn but I have a stable you can use So there we were watching waiting and anticipating and then Rupert said Sorry there s no room in the inn but how much do you want for the donkey What We all sat there in silence at wasn t the line What did he say Did he just ask how much they wanted for the donkey And as we were questioning what we heard Rupert con rmed exactly what he said when he continued e donkey she s a beauty how much would you want for it Seriously how much would it set you back Mary and Joseph just stood there their mouths open in utter shock As for our wonderful director when I looked at her the color had drained from her face I worried she would either scream run away or pass out Unfortunately for her her grandson wasn t done Rupert looks at Mary and Joseph and to bring everything full circle says Well think about it but for now let me show you to my stable We don t want her to push that kid out in my front yard e neighbors might complain Silence absolute silence for about three seconds and the entire place erupted in laughter Amazing wonderful joyful laughter e director our dear church member wasn t amused She looked as though she just wanted the night to end Rupert though I have never seen such a change in a kid His eyes were shining and he was smiling looking at the audience basking in what he created e rest of the show went as planned Jesus was born the doll was placed in the manger the Angel told the Shepherds where they d nd the baby the Wise Men showed up and we all ended the evening singing Silent Night Now I have experienced many Christmas pageants but I will never forget that night at night an innkeeper broke out of his shell and put his own twist on things and it was beautiful real and innocent By the way for years a er during every Advent season be it during the decorating of the church or a er an Advent candle reading someone to the disdain of our Mrs Peabody would say Hey how much do you want for that donkey 13

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Letting people love us By Rev Justin Berkobien It s a Christmas miracle Our youngest of three children is now fully potty trained cue the angel choir One of the downsides of being an egalitarian husband is that I had to take equal turns with my wife when it came to changing diapers Don t worry I ll spare you the horri c details It sure must have been nice to be Mary and Joseph I doubt they ever had to change diapers or wake up in the middle of the night to do feedings or help baby Jesus blow his nose when he was sick He probably tapped into his fully divine nature and helped himself with all that stu right Okay maybe not Maybe baby Jesus was remarkably unremarkable Maybe he was just as much of a handful as our three babies were which would mean there s something curiously Christ like about acting like little demons But I digress e point is Jesus our great exemplar began his human journey like we all do utterly dependent upon others For the Second Person of the Trinity the way of incarnation meant letting go of power letting go of control and letting people love him I m all for loving God and loving others but letting others love me at s a hard sell at would mean allowing myself to be vulnerable at would mean trusting people And if I m being honest I m generally pretty distrustful of people People have neglected me betrayed me mischaracterized and falsely accused me People have pretended to be on my side only to sabotage me when I needed them most Don t worry I ll spare you the horri c details It sure must have been nice to be Jesus I doubt anyone ever broke his trust I mean besides Judas and Peter and every one of his followers at one point or another No wonder he stopped asking people for help right Wrong Justin A er being let down in a variety of heartbreaking ways Jesus still asked people for help He asked John to care for his mother Peter to feed his sheep Paul to take his gospel to the Gentiles Jesus not only let people love him but he also kept on giving them chances a er they failed to love him Don t get me wrong Reconciliation isn t always possible in this life Judas Caiaphas and Pontius Pilate all went to their graves without having a redemptive hug it out moment with Jesus Especially in abusive relationships sometimes the wisest thing to do is establish rm boundaries for as long as there is a threat of harm But just because it s better to keep distance from certain people doesn t mean we should keep everyone at arm s length is Advent Season I think God is encouraging me to de Scrooge a little I think God is inviting me to lean into the gi of belonging to a covenant community So naturally I thought of you all is past June I met many of you at the Annual Meeting outside Milwaukee I went there on a mission I planned to cast a hopeful vision of the future but I never expected I d be given such an encouraging view of the present We shared meals and drinks stories and drinks dreams and drinks By the end my heart had been lled up even more than my glass You all encouraged me in ways that are di cult to express I le the conference feeling less afraid less alone less like me in a good way You were kind enough to show me love and I was brave enough to let you Now admittedly vulnerability is easier in small doses At the AMC in Wisconsin we only had to share life for a long weekend It s much more challenging to share life for well life And yet here I am many months a er the conference still feeling less afraid still feeling less alone Why is that Something I m slowly learning about the Congregational Way the way of the covenant people is that this whole thing about Jesus being present among two or three gathered in his name that s not just some romanticized notion intended to give us warm and fuzzy feelings It s not as if Jesus is with us it s that Jesus is actually truly with us in a distinct and unmistakable way when we gather together in his name ere is something almost sacramental about loving others and letting them love us back Christ commanded us to love one another as he loved us so we have a responsibility to emulate him to the best of our abilities But we all fall short from time to time and instead of receiving condemnation we are given grace an extraordinary grace in which Jesus himself lls in the gaps formed by our weaknesses When others let us down Jesus picks us up When others neglect 14 Rev Justin Berkobien is a Congregationalist pastor and innovative ministry practitioner based in Los Angeles County He was a plenary speaker at the AMC this past June Connect with Justin online justinberkobien com us Jesus pays us special attention When others cause us pain Jesus wipes away the tears I suspect God also lls in the gaps that are formed by challenging circumstances I made new friends in Wisconsin who live thousands of miles away but I truly believe the Holy Spirit bridges our geographical divide and keeps us connected And oh how incredibly important that connection is As a pastor I sometimes feel like a half member of our church like I need to sti e parts of who I am and what I think in order to meet the congregation where they re at Sti ing isn t sustainable though I need safe spaces to be my authentic self just like everyone else and a fellowship of ministry leaders from sister churches is ideal for facilitating that kind of safe space I m just a man standing in front of a National Association of Congregational Christian Churches asking them to love him and sincerely trusting they will I thank you and I thank God for you I m healthier and happier having met you this past June and I m more hopeful than ever about the future For the past few years I ve been dreaming about the next Congregationalism but now I know how we re going to see that dream become a reality together Unique Opportunity in a Coastal Village Community Stony Creek Congregational Church in Branford Connecticut Our coastal village community church is seeking a full time pastor to lead us in our mission to worship God bear witness to the Gospel and nurture our Christian growth Stony Creek Congregational Church is located halfway between New York and Boston in an area with a myriad of recreational cultural and educational opportunities Please see our job posting at NACCC org On Long Island Sound 15

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News Needs and request from our Serving Christ through Global Missions To nurture fellowship among Congregational Christian Churches and to support ministries of the local church in its community and to the world all in the name of Christ A CHRISTIAN MINISTRY IN THE NATIONAL PARKS COLORADO www acmnp com From Amy Kennedy Co Director We have just returned from an inspiring weekend at a combined summer debrief and winter team training We heard stories from this past summer season of how God worked in and through our team members in the parks and trained and prayed over the team members getting ready to head to the parks this winter We have 27 who have signed up to serve across seven national parks this winter season and may have up to 35 before we are done placing A record for us Please join us in praying for those who will be leaving their families over the holiday seasons to go share the love of Christ to those living and working in remote and beautiful parks this winter Rev Rich Miller Todd sixth from left and Rev Kate Miller Todd second from left visited the summer debrief and winter team training ASOCIACION CIVIL CRISTIANA CONGREGATIONAL ARGENTINA www accc ja com ACCC provides medical attention From Rev Dr Harding Stricker Director On December 3rd we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ACCC in Jard n Am rica as an o cially recognized organization 1998 although preparatory works had started about 10 years earlier 1988 under the direction of my father Teodoro We are planning it to be a anksgiving Celebration to express our gratefulness for God s guidance through all these years ank you for your faithful prayers and support FISHERS OF MEN MEXICO www shersofmenmexico org Fishers of men served over 500 at medical clinic From Julie Claassen Director Fishers of Men had the unique experience of carrying out three one day Evangelistic Medical Mission Crusades on consecutive Saturdays during the month of August in the metropolitan Mexico City area Mexico City one of the largest cities in the world abounds with both physical and spiritual needs In just those three days of work our volunteers provided 527 free medical services ranging from general medical appointments including free prescriptions and dental services to massage therapy and eye exams including free glasses As always each crusade attendee heard the Gospel message presented in an individual counseling setting A total of 114 individuals prayed to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior To God be the glory d support 16 NACCC MISSION OUTREACH CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NACCC MISSIONS OR TO DONATE PLEASE CONTACT Missions Administrator Julie Robie at 800 262 1620 or 603 642 7270 or email jrobie naccc org National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Missions and Outreach Ministry Council PO Box 288 Oak Creek WI 53154 For a complete listing of NACCC Mission Projects or to donate please visit our website www naccc org and click on Missions and Outreach LOVE WORTH SHARING HAITI www jesusloveshaiti org From Rev Jim Owens Director I closed last month s newsletter with the news that the gangs had taken over the areas of two of our ministry locations but like the mystical Phoenix of Greek Mythology we have risen from the ashes Literally Serving God s children we have risen from the ashes the gangs have burned down the church where we met in Savanne Pistache they also looted all of our equipment that was le behind However we serve a Mighty God and we have already started a second location in Delmas which is in downtown Port au Prince meeting in one of the government schools and our new third location will be starting in the next couple of weeks in Fonfr de Rolando will be starting this new program in the south peninsula just southwest of our current location in Maniche to minister to the refugees coming out of the Port au Prince area HOSANNA INDUSTRIES PENNSYLVANIA www hosannaindustries org From Katie DeJournette Director of Fleet and Grounds and Church Relations roughout the year Hosanna Industries hosts several fundraising events that not only raise income to support the mission s daily e orts but they also attract a unique and special crowd Hosanna has always been about welcoming all people who want to participate in the Lord s work Fundraising events are just one additional avenue that Hosanna o ers to involve people to support His work in this world On September 11 2023 Hosanna Industries hosted its 26th Annual Golf Bene t e event was held at a local public golf course which is owned by a dear friend of the mission We had 98 golfers attend and raised 39 500 It was a fun day had by all with a game of 18 holes hotdog snack at the turn hotdogs donated from a local butcher a catered lunch donated by a local restaurant and prizes for various winning levels In honor of remembering September 11 we had a moment of silence and prayer at the start of the day and gave out an award for the best American attire Hosanna honored 9 11 at golf outing MISSION SCHOOL OF HOPE CAMEROON www missionschoolo ope org Ngah Marie Terese shared her story From Rev Charles Sagay Director A young girl s story My name is Ngah Marie Terese and I just passed my entrance exams Into middle school I am in the rst promotion class of Mission Of Hope Bilingual Nursery and Primary School Owens Family Campus As I prepare to enter middle school there are so many things I miss already from my school the free meals health care school supplies Bible teachings and the very caring teachers I was troubled about all these and because my underwear are all worn out and torn I was wondering how my life would look especially the embarrassment if others get to know To my greatest surprise Mission of Hope representatives came to my home and to other homes and now I have these beautiful underwear and I am totally ready for middle school We continue to request for prayers for the peace in Cameroon especially in the anglophone region We deeply appreciate all those who have been supporting us and May the Lord bless them bountifully 17

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GRACE CHURCH We are More Than Just Chicken By Lisa Bircher Every year the weekend a er Labor Day Grace Church of Columbiana Ohio makes the most spectacular chicken dinner for the entire community to enjoy and share in the fellowship All of it happens in our dining room during the annual Columbiana Street Fair It is a laborious task and literally all church members are on deck to plan prep serve and clean up the delicious meal Since 1957 this event has become a hallmark of our church s outreach to the community When I rst started attending Grace Church friends would ask me where I went to church and I would tell them e red brick church on Main Street in Columbiana Ohio where the chicken dinner is served at Street Fair e response would always be I wait all year for that dinner And it is so amazing that you do it every year e menu for the past number of years includes half a BBQ chicken baked potato coleslaw applesauce and rolls We also make vast amounts of co ee and punch for our guests Originally the Chicken Dinner was more traditionally Street Fair food with hamburgers hot dogs and such Now the chicken is the main attraction and we serve 1 200 meals in just two days Friday and Saturday e work that goes into the Chicken Dinner is epic but manageable We prep the applesauce several weeks before and then make the coleslaw the week before e entire week of the Street Fair we are at the church every day prepping the kitchen the tables and chairs and of course scrubbing and wrapping potatoes for baking Finally we welcome the entire community into our church to serve and enjoy the bounty of our labor And the goal is to provide the most pleasure possible for our community Watching the spirit of Setting up the BBQ Pit cooperation and joy with which my congregation works is nothing but joy Our pastor the Reverend Dr Rob Joy has commented that the Chicken Dinner makes him think of how it will be when we all get to heaven For it says in scripture We however are citizens of heaven and we eagerly wait for our Savior to come from heaven the Lord Jesus Christ Philippians 3 20 Good News It is a meeting place for all In many cases people see each other at our dinner that may not have seen each other since the prior year s event We also invite all our guests to attend worship services and other church activities All who attend our dinner are encouraged to relax in the dining room as long as they want to share fellowship with everyone We hope the people who enjoy our dinner will live in the light just as he is in the light then we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son makes us clean from every sin 1 John 1 7 Good News e Chicken Dinner is replicable in other communities and a variety of venues One reason we sell out of chicken every night we serve is because we have a captive audience out on the street enjoying the fair Our chicken is probably one of the healthier meals available at the Street Fair so many people come for a home cooked meal that will nourish their bodies My primary goal in writing this article is not to o er a how to on making a community chicken dinner but to encourage you to move out to your community as you consider how to best nurture the people you serve In other words I believe it is important in this 21st Century world to embrace di erent missions to strengthen the faith of people in the local community For it is written As the scripture says Whoever believes in me streams of living water will pour out from his heart John 7 38 Good News Creative fellowship within our church and especially as we move out to the community will help us remain relevant in our local communities Obviously we need to embrace new ways to bring men women boys and girls to the saving grace of Jesus Christ In creating outreach for communities and based on the successes we have had with our Street 18 Our t shirts Dr Lisa Bircher is a member at Grace Church of Columbiana Ohio She is also a recently retired public school teacher having taught high school science at East Palestine Ohio from 1993 2023 Lisa is currently entering her first year in the NACCC Lay Ministry Training Program Lisa also holds a Ph D from Kent State University in Curriculum and Instruction She is interested in helping her church grow as they extend their outreach and mission work both locally nationally as well as internationally Chicken on the BBQ Prepping Potatoes Fair Chicken Dinner suggestions for e ective outreach include Find a public place or event where you can come into contact with people from the larger community In considering outreach to the community it is important for us to realize we need to get out to the people because they are not as likely to walk into a church service without encouragement Many in the community are either unchurched or done with church based on their previous life experiences e nones and dones may still crave enrichment to their faith but need a safe space in which to make this possible So in creating church based outreach we may nd a way to nurture these folks into the church Or at least create in them the desire to come to church At Grace Church our primary statement of welcome to anyone coming to our church is Welcome home to Grace And that is our sincere goal to encourage people from our community to join our church family Find a need your church can ll in the community In creating outreach it is important to look at the greater needs of the community We ought to be in mission to people who live right next to us because we cannot assume they have a knowledge of Jesus or the greatness of his salvation Our chicken dinner creates an environment that not only welcomes people but encourages them to nd their spirituality Even before I started attending Grace Church years ago I was invited to services there e information made available at the dinner welcomed and invited me to be a part of what happens in the church Truly we cannot overlook the importance of repeated invitations to join us in church Sometimes it may be the right invitation at the right time by the right person to make it right for the invited Indeed in our 21st century lifestyle people need to see the relevance of church in their lives We cannot take for granted the appeal made to each and every one of us to provide hospitality to the community For as it says in the epistle Share with God s people who are in need Practice hospitality Romans 12 13 NIV Create a space of fellowship for the community is may NOT necessarily be inside the church itself Even though Continued Making Applesauce Making Coleslaw 19

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Continued GRACE CHURCH We are More Than Just Chicken our chicken dinner is served in our church s dining room diners do not enter our sanctuary However their presence in our midst is what really provides the fellowship of Christian love We know that For where two or three come together in my name I am there with them Matthew 18 20 Good News is is a fellowship that is so wonderful It is possible to create outreach to communities that are faithbased and encouraging Look at the needs of the community and the places and spaces where your church can make themselves known For example maybe there is a festival or a large event in the community where your church can encourage people Maybe there is a speci c need in the community that can be met outside the church It is important to pray for guidance regarding the most appropriate venue in which your church can conduct these outreach e orts Prayer time in planning for outreach cannot be overlooked Encourage the community to get involved in church activities even if they do not attend worship services Most churches desire to involve people in the work of the church However this does not need to be about the worship services We tend to think that a person has not really been to church unless they attend Sunday worship or other formal prayer meetings provided at the church One salient goal of the 21st century church should be to engage people from outside the church and to encourage them to nurture their spirituality As Congregationalists this will look di erent for everyone Providing faith freedom and fellowship is what is important It does mean that some souls served by the church may never be present in Sunday worship For example a neighboring church in our greater community hosts a semiannual rummage sale that attracts people from an even larger geographic area It is possible to include those who either plan or prepare for the event as well as those served by the event as part of the church mission even though most do not attend any formal church services In many ways it is the encouragement provided in these outreach ministries that keeps some connected to the church at all In conclusion it does not really matter what the outreach e ort may be for any given church It is the sincerity of the e ort and that it meets the needs of the community that is important At Grace Church of Columbiana Ohio we have had positive results from our Street Fair Chicken Dinner It truly is a winner winner chicken dinner For other churches the outreach approach will be di erent Just remember the overarching goal is to reach people in your community with the Good News of Jesus Christ For it says in scripture And they went out and preached everywhere while the Lord worked with them and con rmed the message by accompanying signs Mark 16 20 ESV Edward Hugh Fackler 1938 2023 e Reverend H Fackler died September 14 2023 at age 84 in Marysville Washington He is survived by his wife Terry Retired from ministry Rev Fackler served several leadership positions in the NACCC Missionary Society 1994 1998 Nominating Committee 2000 2002 and 2011 2013 Church Services Commission 2008 2009 Ed earned master s degrees in guidance and counseling from Troy State and systems management from the University of Southern California Ed served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam and Cold War eras While stationed in southern California he attended the Congregational Church of e Messiah and met future wife Terry when they both sang in the choir Following retirement from the Air Force Ed earned his M Div from San Francisco eological Seminary He served Congregational churches in Duluth Minnesota and Flower Mound Texas before settling in Seattle Washington Maud Lois Rosebrooks 1934 2023 Lois Rosebrooks was a member of Plymouth Church in New York An accomplished soloist she sang in the choir and was in the choir lo when Martin Luther King Jr preached at Plymouth 1963 She also led the Sunday School and served on the Church Council Lois founded the Plymouth History Ministry responded to inquiries regarding the church history led tours and organized the archives Active in the NACCC her leaderhship roles included Division for Ministry 2010 2014 Vitality Ministry Council 2012 2016 and Leadership Council 2012 2017 Lois is survived by her nephew two nieces and many great nephews and nieces 20 A Peace We Seh By Rev Dr Chris Surber Christina Surber planting seeds of peace The Reverend Dr Chris Surber is pastor of First Congregational Church of Naples Florida and Executive Director of Supply and Multiply Haiti Contact Chris at pilgrimpastor77 gmail com That was the theme of the Vacation Bible School at Salem Congregational Church in Chapelton Jamaica this summer at is Jamaican Patwa for A Peace We Say e theme song was a version of Give Peace a Chance My family and I along with a ragtag band of Jesus followers spent a week in Chapelton this past July Miss Maisie Brown of First Congregational Church of Naples was our guide We went on mission to help her and the sta of the Ida Brown early development center get ready for the preschoolers to come back to school in the fall Around First Congregational Church we refer to the school as Maisie s School because she some family members and some friends in the community started the school several years ago Maisie s school meets an important need for early childhood education in that rural mountainous area e children served by the school come from poorer families For them this school opportunity is a tremendous blessing We painted built shelves organized brought playground equipment and much more e schoolhouse is humble but adequate What it lacks in modern amenities it more than makes up for with love from the teachers e Ida Brown early childhood development center is planting seeds of peace in the hearts of precious rural mountain children We spent a ernoons at Maisie s school We spent the mornings at the Salem Congregational Church in Chapelton Jamaica According to a 2016 article in the Jamaica Gleaner written by Shanique Samuels Salem Congregational Church was founded in 1838 by missionaries who came to Jamaica in 1834 seeking lands to purchase on which they would build churches ey were instructed not to stay in cities like Spanish Town and Kingston but to concentrate on the rural areas Salem has been shepherded by ministers from Jamaica and all over Europe in its nearly 200year history Our team lled volunteer gaps to assist the largely aging congregation join with churches all over the region to put on a Vacation Bible School centered on gaining peace with God and sharing peace with the world around us e Jamaican people are waging a war of peace in the face of decades of mounting violence on the streets and in schools In recent years the Jamaican government has taken steps to involve every area of society in a campaign to reduce violence in schools homes and on the streets ey are aiming at reducing violence in schools by 50 percent by the fall of 2023 Education Minister Fayval Williams declared What we are witnessing in our s chools is not normal it is as a result of major psychosocial issues which include family problems depression anxiety substance abuse sexual abuse and the violence that our children are experiencing According to a 2018 United Nations Children s Fund UNICEF report 80 percent of Jamaican children receive some form of physiological or physical violence as school discipline When we planned the trip to Jamaica I knew we would be helping spread the Gospel What I didn t know was that doing a peace themed VBS was participation in the country s current nationwide campaign to give peace a chance e sweet lady that directs Maisie s school explained to me that they do not allow any corporal punishment of the children though it is common in Jamaican schools ey nurture the children ey treat them like gi s of God ey are peacemakers e church gathered an impressive number of children from the area eir volunteers along with our team poured peace into these children In Matthew 5 9 Jesus calls us to be peacemakers Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God Matthew 5 9 ESV We ve been spreading peace in Haiti for years Largely because of Haiti s current political and social crisis we re pressing peace into new places like Jamaica Whether it s at Salem Congregational Church Maisie s School Haiti Naples or anywhere else God is indeed calling each one of us to give peace a chance Where is God calling you to plant s eeds of peace In your own backyard In your community Maybe on a future trip with Supply and Multiply in Jamaica e central gi of Jesus is peace with God peace within ourselves and the real possibility of peace with our fellow man Let s imitate Jesus in planting seeds of peace along the path of our pilgrimage Charles Spurgeon put it this way He is our peace he came to bring it and he le it behind him as he went away 21

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Living O the Map by Ronald R Johnson It was a cold and rainy day in St Louis when my wife Nancy and I loaded our moving van at Eden Seminary and prepared to leave I knew how lucky I was to study with the New Testament scholar Gail O Day and to learn the Old Testament from Walt Brueggemann but a er di cult discussions with the dean and other school o cials I had decided that I couldn t stay I wasn t called to be a pastor Introduced at the age of sixteen to the novels of the Congregationalist minister Lloyd C Douglas I had dreamed of being just like him preaching sermons and writing ction that would demonstrate how to follow Jesus in contemporary work settings But I had hardly begun my seminary education before I realized how little I knew about the world outside Eden s comforting walls I needed to learn a lot more about the world of work at was where I belonged right now whether I liked it or not Nancy and I found an apartment in the St Louis suburbs When we le Eden I discovered that the only map we had of the city ended at Lindbergh Boulevard our apartment was many miles to the west of that road What do we do now I asked We re living o the map It wasn t easy For a long time we weren t quite sure where we were going All we could do was follow the guidance we received day by day I played a number of roles through the years I was a platemaker in a printing company serving as a bu er between the pressmen and the bettereducated gents in the darkroom I was a produce guy in a supermarket surprised to learn about the turf wars in the backroom storage area where customers don t go I was a substitute teacher in the public schools covering all ages from K through 12 and earned a Masters Degree in Education while doing so I sold advertising for a 22 Ronald R Johnson is author of Small World and What Does God Do from 9 to 5 He has a PhD in Philosophy from Saint Louis University and teaches at Spring Arbor University He is writing a biography of the Congregationalist minister and best selling author Lloyd C Douglas suburban newspaper was a storyteller at nursing homes and residence facilities for the elderly joined a ction writer s group I was a telephone operator for Western Union eventually working my way up to Operations Manager In all these settings God was there guiding me At last I felt like I had found my path I le Western Union to go back to graduate school earning a doctorate in the eld of Philosophy A er graduation I took a two year teaching position in Cincinnati but when my contract ended I didn t have any other opportunities lined up and my wife and I now had a child to care for I needed a job Employers were unwilling to take a chance on me not only because of my education but also because of my experience as a manager You won t be happy in this position they told me In desperation I took an entry level job at a customer service call center for a local bank I ll give you one year I told them I hope to teach full time again next fall Since turnover in the call center was so high they said they d be glad to hire me if I promised to stay a full year As it turned out I stayed for 22 years at bank was taken over by a larger bank which was bought out by a third bank but I managed to keep my job each time In the process I was able to move my family back to West Michigan where Nancy and I grew up I published academic papers and kept trying to get a tenure track position but before long it was clear that I was never again going to work full time in a university setting I spent the next two decades in the customer service call center by day and taught college courses at night It was a hard adjustment most of all because I was so sure that I had followed the promptings of the Spirit in going to graduate school and earning my doctorate I couldn t gure out where God was leading me Once again we were living o the map As painful as it was I began to see what God wanted me to do A call center is a stressful work environment Customer service representatives are timed monitored and can t deviate from the script they ve been given Evaluations are harsh Meanwhile we have to deal with angry customers all day We get it from both ends from the public and from management I totally understood why employees quit But I needed a job As I prayed and did my best to get through each day I recognized that I was called to be in this place serving people yes even angry people in Jesus name Bless those who curse you the Spirit told me and I began to realize that meant my managers too Simply as a matter of survival I practiced the Presence of God every minute I was on the phone and things happened I discovered that I was good at soothing angry customers And at moving mountains of red tape to resolve their issues And at making friends with people in back o ce Operations And at building rapport with my managers and the other members of my team It wasn t what I wanted to do with my life but it was where I was supposed to be at least for now And it gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to serve Jesus Christ outside the walls of the church Prompted by the Spirit I shared my experiences in a book called Customer Service and the Imitation of Christ Some of my coworkers read it and told me it helped People in other professions said it spoke to their needs as well I was a guest on a radio talk show and on several podcasts A local book club invited me to speak on the subject Although a layman I was asked to preach on a number of occasions at my home congregation and at other churches in the area Slowly it dawned on me that I was ful lling the dream I had had as a teenager both living out and telling about the Christian adventure in daily secular settings I followed up with What Does God Do from 9 to 5 Spoiler Alert God plays a kind of editorial role in the unfolding stories of our individual and corporate lives shaping us more and more into the people we were created to be And like my boyhood hero Lloyd Douglas I published a few novels that were in essence parables about following Jesus in the contemporary world rough a long series of events I found my way to the thing I was called to do Are you living o the map Are you unsure where to go from here It s frightening But I can tell you from experience that God is a faithful guide You may not always like where God leads you but you ll be surprised If you look around it might just be where you belong 23

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G TO THE ather Aroun THE TABLE d by Dr Michael Wayne Glidden Afew summers ago Rhonda and I took a trip to Lubec Maine It s a long haul a 6 hour drive from Portland Lubec is named a er Lubek Germany But they are many miles and worlds apart My mother always considered Lubec to be the end of the world however it is known to be the most eastern point in the U S where the sun is rst to rise unless you ask the folks of nearby Eastport Each morning during our stay I would go for a casual walk along the road to the nearby convenience store At 5 30 in the morning there were six or seven older men gathered around a table having co ee and not sharing in holy conversations I heard a lot of swear words tales of sea monsters and shing and boating stories that only Jacques Cousteau could tell I wanted to go over and join them It seemed invitational ey were laughing and having a great time A lot of energy to be burned in the early morn I wondered what was the common denominator that brought them together We took the long way home Route 1 is de nitely that Route 1 is famous on the eastern side of the state taking one from Maine to Florida kind of like Route 66 out West Route 1 will take you through the corridor of life and into the most intimate parts of Maine One will see and witness things not of the norm such as a giant blueberry as big as a house out in front of a gi shop or a giant red lobster that is even bigger guarding the doors of a diner Or one might catch a glimpse of a giant statue of a one legged sea captain still standing at his post protecting the raging river If you take a detour and end up in Bangor you might catch wind of Paul Bunyan and yet see the gargoyles on the front fence of Stephen King s home Better yet you might see many windmills on nearby Route 9 which I remembered as horse back mountain when I asked my dad to hit the gas pedal as we traveled over the horse It s amazing how detours o en can be roads of discovery A er lling up with some good down east co ee decaf we motored on I thought this will be a very long day as the last dust on the Lubec road kicked up under our Buick e dust from the tires seemed to hover in the air for a good ten minutes as not even a snail was on this barren road Passing through Machias Rhonda always needs to stop at Helen s Restaurant She is ever so worldly famous for her blueberry pies What did we do Drive into the lot and stay for a spell Gather around the table with many more seeking to eat not only the blueberry pies but also the famous sh and chips e batter on the sh isn t a modest amount but a mountain of desire so much that a few years earlier it took me a week to digest So I desired a cup of decaf from the nearby gas station Nevertheless we gathered together to enjoy the sight of the raging river that was owing by e peg legged seaman continued to keep watch I o en hear tales of Maine legends Someone once told me that there are spirits in the raging river My father was the manager of a couple of liquor stores in the nearby towns so maybe there s a connection Outside of Ellsworth we needed to stop Eastern Maine is not like other parts of the state A town will approach it will go away miles and miles of woods to follow and then up will pop another town Traveling the back roads of Maine is like a cross between a treasure hunt and a deep excursion into the woods but make sure you have a lot of Skin So So on or the black ies will eat you alive If you can survive the black ies Maine is a great place to explore and feel the great hospitality of other Mainers who will gather with you around the table Obviously a great place for LL Bean to have a agship store Many ghost stories have been told about what walks along these barren lonely roads late at night I always had the same nightmare of a giant maneating blueberry rolling down the road at 1 30 in the morning We stopped to use the restroom at a General Dollar store All of the workers were gathered around at the front near the cash registers Again I could see the image of the table ey were all laughing and carrying on How much laughter and joy to see ey wanted to give us some good laughter when we came in I can only imagine that my dancing around waiting for the restroom was causing quite a chuckle Other clerks were milling around in the store but didn t have that childlike joy that was happening at the front end around the table We went on our way and soon up 24 The Reverend Dr Michael Glidden is Minister at North Deering Congregational Meeting House in Portland Maine He has been pastoring since 1993 Rev Glidden earned his Master of Divinity Degree in 1995 from Bangor Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in 2002 He was ordained in 2000 Mike lives in South Portland with his wife Rhonda along the coast we saw the big red lobster He was made of metal and looked to be the guardian of the bay I thought that perhaps he was keeping the pirates away or perhaps a warning to people who wanted to eat too much sea food We were hungry I was pleased that the diner o ered gluten free as well as a nice table for us An elderly lady was playing the piano that was right in the middle of all the tables She was no Elton John Many tables dotted the landscape as we continued our journey Picnic tables with family and friends Old rustic tables resting on overgrown lawns with old automobile parts nearby We saw one sign that said free picnic table Fellowship and grace is free and available for any in need is I quickly led away in a folder in my pastor s mind We made it to LL Bean to gather around a table and share our snacks for the strength to complete the journey home Near the tables outside was the big LLBean boot with which thousands each year come to have their picture taken Some treated the boot like a table Many reclined on it as if the boot was just another place to eat and share I thought of a new slogan hanging around the boot I also wondered if the old woman of the shoe lived inside but I dared not peek Ultimately we drove right back to the North Deering Church where we began to prepare for Holy Communion on Sunday e table once sat up above on the stage but I lowered it down to the oor to be nearer the people When I am leading worship I want to be able to see the boots of the people Our table is simple rustic and old It might have been found in the attic of an 1800s house o Route 1 somewhere out in the middle of a nowhere town Or maybe my Grandfather Bruce used it as a saw horse or yet a bench to cut boards on Despite having an unorthodox table we gather together in a complete space of love friendship hospitality and joy Rhonda gets the loaf of bread from the local grocer e juice is Welch s grape from the corner store No magic is needed I trust the Spirit will do the work e bread is cut up like it just came from the Moody Diner in Wells e juice is poured into little cups that might resemble a scene at a Sunday School picnic We gather together in His name around the table We eat bread we laugh we enjoy fellowship and then we gather downstairs in the vestry We gather around the folding tables that once hosted the sh fry on Fridays Since COVID the only gathering around the tables is a er worship We have some good decaf and high test from Dunkin and always some wholesome hearty baked goods And as we all leave we all go home to gather around the table to be with family and friends Shalom Mg Letter EDITOR When Jesus said love thy neighbor He knew your neighbor would act look believe and love di erently than you It s kind of the point Oh Lord help us be a compassionate people and a compassionate nation Help us put con dence in our compassion and show Christlike welcome to all those in our paths this week I pray that all of you remember that fear causes us to act in ways that blind us so we do not need to see God s image in others Until we make God the center of everything in our lives we will stay divided Jack Young said for peace to reign it had to begin with each of us Pastor Alicia Riedy Sun City California 25

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Pastorates PULPITS Installation Rev Ashton McDonald Senior Minister First Congregational Church Emporia KS June 18 2023 Ordination Installation Rev Jacob Richards First Congregational Church Portland MI September 23 2023 Ordination Molly Tomashek Pilgrim Congregational Church Green Bay WI September 17 2023 Recent Calls Rev Mitch Taylor and Pastor Synthia Taylor Co Pastors Heritage Congregational Church Madison WI August 14 2023 Rev Katherine Kribbs Senior Pastor Epping Community Church Epping NH August 14 2023 Miriam eodore Senior Minister First Church in Pembroke Pembroke MA September 1 2023 Lisa S Manning Bircher Ph D Interim Minister Grace Church Columbiana OH October 2 2023 In Search Senior Minister First Congregational Church Anchorage AK First Congregational Church Barkhamsted CT Preston City Congregational Church Preston CT United Church of Marco Island Marco Island FL Robbins Memorial Congregational Church Green eld MA First Congregational Church Marsh eld MA e Congregational Church of East Sumner Sumner ME Elijah Kellogg Congregational Church Harpswell ME Rockland Congregational Church Rockland ME Arbor Grove Congregational Church Jackson MI North Congregational Church Farmington Hills MI First Congregational Church McCook NE Campton Congregational Church Campton NH First Congregational Church Crown Point NY First Congregational Church Little Valley NY Cambria Congregational Church Lockport NY Oakwood Heights Community Church Staten Island NY Congregational Christian Fellowship Church Winchester VA Associate Assistant Minister First Congregational Church Beloit WI Interim Minister e Congregational Church in Summer eld Summer eld FL Stony Creek Congregational Church Branford CT Non NACCC Church Next Generation Pastor Verde Community Church Cottonwood AZ CALENDAR 2023 SAVE THE DATE 2024 Annual Meeting June 22 25 2024 Spokane Washington For more information contact the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches www naccc org events ecrf Editor Marianne E King Contributing Editor Julie Robie Graphic Design Goes Studio Editorial Advisory Team Rev Dawn Carlson Rev Dr Barry W Szymanski Rev Dr Michael Glidden Claudia Kniefel Published quarterly by NACCC 8473 S Howell Ave Oak Creek WI 53154 0288 naccc naccc org Editorial Inquiries Marianne E King 800 262 1620 editor naccc org Advertising Inquiries Maggie Helmick 800 262 1620 editor naccc org Subscription Inquiries Tracy Bernhardt 800 262 1620 ext 1615 naccc naccc org Subscriptions Policy One subscription is provided free of charge to each individual requestor who is a member of a church in fellowship with the National Association One complimentary Newcomer Copy will be sent to any person one time only upon request by a church in fellowship with the National Association A subscription to e Congregationalist is provided free of charge to each church in fellowship with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and one to each accredited theological seminary on the magazine s mailing list Single copies may be purchased from the National Association o ce for 3 75 plus 3 20 to cover shipping and handling We seek and gratefully accept voluntary donations to help keep this magazine in print e Congregationalist ISSN 0010 5856 Postage paid at Madison WI 53714 9998 Published quarterly by the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches 8473 S Howell Ave Oak Creek WI 53154 0288 Periodicals postage paid at Madison WI and additional mailings o ces POSTMASTER Send address changes to e Congregationalist 8473 S Howell Ave Oak Creek WI 53201 0288 The Congregationalist Online Our Web site www naccc org thecongregationalist features the current issue plus back issues Each new issue is posted on the site when the printed issue is mailed so you typically can read the magazine before the printed copy reaches your mailbox Enjoy SUBSCRIBING CANCELING MOVING Email us at naccc naccc org The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Mission Statement To nurture fellowship among Congregational Christian Churches and to support ministries of the local church in its community and to the world all in the name of Christ Articles and editorials in The Congregationalist are by the authority of the editor and do not necessarily reflect policies and opinions of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches The NACCC reserves freedom of expression to its authors as well as freedom of opinion to its readers Copy deadline for each issue is noted in the previous issue s Calendar section Letters to the Editor are welcome All letters may be edited for clarity and length We regret we cannot publish or respond to all letters The NACCC reserves the right to refuse any advertisement 2023 The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches All rights reserved To discontinue receiving the magazine contact Tracy Bernhardt at 800 262 1620 ext 1615 or email naccc naccc org 26 27

The Congregationalist December 2023

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