The Congregationalist March 2020 : simplebooklet.com

OUR Voyage TOGETHER REMEMBERING W e Congregationalists are good at remembering This year we remember the landing of the passengers both the religiously affiliated and the not so religiously affiliated on shore in Massachusetts Bay on December 21 1620 The year 2020 of course marks the 400th Anniversary of that event By Michael Chittum Executive Director National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Looking Ahead We remember lots of other things as well that took place both before and after that landing in 1620 We remember the faithfulness and the commitment of the dissenting churches in 16th Century England that sought to worship God in a way they believed was consonant with scripture We remember the protests against slavery in 19th Century America by leaders in our Congregational churches We remember the calls for social justice from Congregationalists like Washington Gladden that helped to bolster support for the workers of America Likely we also remember stories of significant leaders in our own churches and their influence on their community We remember these stories because our forebears made a difference in their world that was based on their faith On the website of the Congregational Library Archives is this paragraph In many ways the Congregational Christian churches are at the heart of the American Protestant tradition Their numbers declined over the course of the last two centuries but their influence on American thought and social conscience are still strong As pioneers in education social justice and Christian unity they have indelibly shaped the world we have inherited 1 We are great at remembering and our past is important but we also need to look ahead What will be the future of our Association What will be the needs of our local congregations How can we work together as a diverse group of member churches to continue to make a difference in our communities As we consider what it means for us to look ahead I invite you and other leaders of your church to be part of the 66th Annual Meeting on June 27 30 2020 in Portland Maine and to engage in the conversation Grace and Peace Michael 4 1Accessed on December 18 2019 at http www congregationallibrary org researchers congregational christian tradition contributions 5

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Shipsof FAITH C ongregationalists revel in the dramatic story of the Mayflower s voyage across the Atlantic Ocean We now celebrate the quadricentennial of this famous journey which commenced in September of 1620 and continued for over two months It is a story filled with courage fortitude and faith and one that would become deeply woven into the fabric of both our national and denominational history Crammed within the ship s holds were a group of adventurers and a band of religion freedom seekers called Separatists These Separatists would become recognized as our earliest Congregational ancestors The role of ships or boats however has been a part of our faith story long before the sailing of the Mayflower Early in the book of Genesis we are introduced to the saga of Noah and the ark ship he is instructed to build in order to survive the waters of the flood Later in the Hebrew scriptures the prophet Jonah seeks to escape the call of God by fleeing to Joppa and boarding a ship bound for Tarshish The first encounter of Jesus with some of his soon to be disciples occurs along the Sea of Galilee where Jesus instructs Peter to re enter his boat and let down his nets for a catch after a long night of unsuccessful fishing When Peter obliges he and his brother Andrew pull up their net filled with so many fish that they summon James and John in another boat to help them secure their catch Mark s gospel includes the story about Jesus crossing the sea with his 6 Lawrence Balleine is a 1975 CFTS graduate and past contributor to The Congregationalist Now retired he served as a pastor with Congregational and United Church of Christ congregations for over forty years by Lawrence H Balleine disciples A raging storm occurs The disciples become terrified and call out to Jesus who is asleep in the stern Their question is profound Teacher do you not care that we are perishing Jesus responds by stilling the storm and causing a great calm which we deduce has come to both the sea and the disciples The story was recorded by the gospel writer Mark and was initially addressed to the early followers of Jesus who were undergoing bitter persecution Since the church from its earliest days was symbolized as a ship this story would have spoken a profound message of hope to the early church It was a reminder to them that Jesus did indeed care and with Jesus accompanying them on the boat the church they had nothing to fear Another time the disciples are crossing the sea and again a storm arises This time however Jesus is not with them on the boat Rather walking on the water he approaches them After Peter s failed attempt to come to Jesus on the water Jesus rescues him and when the two of them enter the boat the storm ceases As the ship became increasingly recognized as a symbol for the church for the church like a ship was viewed as the vehicle which exists to carry us on our faith journey it is not surprising that when cathedrals and other church edifices were erected the section of the building where the congregation gathers for worship became known as the nave the word nave deriving from the Latin word navis meaning ship What is fascinating however is that the four basic roles or functions of the church each end with the suffix ship Included are worship discipleship fellowship and stewardship Worship is the focal point of our Christian life and the life of the church community It is a time we intentionally turn ourselves to God to offer God praise and thanksgiving It is a time to offer our confessions of sin and to receive the assurance of our pardon or God s forgiveness It is a time of looking intentionally to God s word as we seek to discover it in the ancient scriptures to discern how that word still speaks to us in our lives and to commit ourselves again to living according to God s word Then there is fellowship The early Greek word for fellowship is koinonia and it involved a deep abiding commitment to the well being of one another Fellowship is something that can occur whenever two or three are gathered in Christ s name Fellowship occurs in a variety of ways The fact that many congregations at some point in their local church history have constructed Fellowship Halls attests to its continuing importance When I was a teen I was welcomed into the Pilgrim Youth Fellowship a group of high school youth who would gather for fun and recreation usually at church or in the homes of the participants Service projects throughout the community were also common activities Most congregations continue to offer fellowship groups for men and women They are comprised of those who come together not only for social service and learning activities but who also extend care and support to each other and often to others outside their group especially in times of crisis or loss Churches hosting such groups as Alcoholics Anonymous or emergency housing for those in need are other expressions of fellowship Fellowship too frequently occurs outside the church building It is often spontaneous One of the best expressions of fellowship occurs as we follow Paul s advice and weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice And all that weeping and rejoicing are not necessarily planned scheduled or even anticipated but take place as various situations are presented to us and we respond out of the kindness of our hearts Thirdly there is discipleship A disciple is a learner Discipleship occurs as we devote ourselves to the teaching ministry of the church It includes not only Sunday School classes Bible studies Vacation Bible School and confirmation programs but also opportunities offered by our associations that allow us to learn what it means to follow and serve Jesus Christ A worship service that includes scripture and a reflection or sermon based on the Biblical text s is intended to be both inspirational and instructional Such worship is another expression of discipleship That is to say that by the end of the worship service those worshiping should have learned either a little or a lot about the Biblical text s upon which that worship service has been built Finally there is stewardship Stewardship is commonly understood as the wise and generous use of whatever God has entrusted to us It includes our possessions our money our time and our talents All these are to be shared in ways which benefit the good of all the common good Noteworthy is what Paul said about this in his first letter to the Corinthians Now we have been given a variety of gifts but the same spirit And there are varieties of services but the same Lord who we serve And there are varieties of activities but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good Continued 7

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Yes all these gifts whether they be of teaching or discernment or the ability to encourage or to rebuild or repair houses or to compose music says Paul are activated by one and the same Spirit who allots to each one individually just as the spirit chooses Yes the talents we possess or are privileged to develop are God given and are to be God driven and used for the common good and the glory of God It should be noted that each of these four basic activities of the church often blend or merge into each other Like a rainbow where we cannot quite decipher where the blue becomes the indigo or the orange becomes yellow our worship and fellowship often blend or even our discipleship is a part of our worship But all four taken and blended First Congregational Church Naples Florida Seeking a Full time Senior Pastor FCC s Founding Pastor is retiring and we are looking for a dynamic and devoted person of faith to provide spiritual and pastoral leadership to our growing congregation We are located in beautiful southwest Florida a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico Read more about this opportunity in our Church Information Form at www naccc org Visit our website at www naplesflchurch com CONTINUED Shipsof FAITH worship fellowship discipleship and stewardship just like a rainbow make for a beautiful whole These four ships are nothing new They have been basic to the church since its beginning Note how these four activities are already apparent in the description of the earliest church described by Luke in the Acts of the Apostles They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship to the breaking of bread and the prayers That s worship discipleship and fellowship And moments later Luke continues All who believed were together and had all things in common they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all as any had need That s stewardship The term shipshape comes from the British Royal Navy of centuries gone by If a vessel was considered shipshape it meant all the gears and equipment were in their proper place and in proper working condition Although the journey or voyage the ship took may have encountered storms and difficult seas being shipshape it brought its passengers safely to their appointed destination I trust that we want this ship that we have boarded the church to be shipshape marked by meaningful worship fellowship discipleship and stewardship able to carry us safely to our destination Worship FELLOWSHIP discipleship Stewardship Voice YOU HAVE A The Congregationalist celebrates the voices of Congregationalism unique in our thinking and unified by our heritage 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 250 499 Elias Smith Connexion 500 999 Edward Beecher Society 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 ______ _______ Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Address __________________________________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________________State ___________________ Zip ________________ Phone ____________________________________________ E mail Address __________________________________ Church __________________________________________________________________________________________ Thank You For Your Generosity All Gifts Are Tax Deductible To The Fullest Extent Allowed By Law 8 9

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YOU Who are by Dr Michael Wayne Glidden I can remember many years ago when an elderly lady came to me before worship and told me that she feels as if she is living in a fog I don t feel real she told me with a hunched back while looking away She continued It s as if I m alive but not really here I didn t know what to say I did take a few minutes before worship to comfort her while realizing that there are many around us who feel detached from life Our son Sean Michael is a millennial who was born in 1989 He often tells us that his generation is going through life as though watching the events on a screen It s like life is a haze without meaning and purpose Rhonda and I saw this first hand in the early summer of 2019 while we were walking in South Portland Maine 10 We happened to be strolling along the sidewalk when we saw a young man sitting in a figure four position with a needle in his arm Rhonda said that she saw him inject himself while at the same time locking his eyes on us and saying I m very sorry All we could think about for the rest of the day was how we could have been the hands of Jesus in the moment Was this a missed opportunity There will be many more to come In the Gospel of John I love the account where Jesus appears to Doubting Thomas and invites him to put his finger in his hand and side Thomas was detached because his Lord was gone For a few years Thomas had a personal encounter with Jesus that enabled him to do the ministry before him For Thomas to continue he needed to be validated in his personhood It was at his critical moment of need when Christ appeared The Lord wasn t aloof or distant but had an intimate encounter with a detached apostle This narrative can be picked up in John Chapter 20 beginning in verse 19 The disciples including Thomas were in a state of fear Their personal friend for many years was gone Something special was going to happen Their lives would never be the same again It was the Lord who walked in among them and made a powerful proclamation Peace Notice the power of the Word This is a word of wholeness for which the Hebrew word is shalom Jesus was declaring them to be whole in their whole being not detached or aloof from life but given an authentic existence to carry The Rev Michael Glidden D Min is Minister at North Deering 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 on He was there at the right time and in the right place to offer hope Jesus continues by demonstrating personal touch He especially demonstrates this by inviting Thomas to touch him at the most vulnerable places on His body He wanted Thomas to know that He was real and still involved in his life Jesus fully knew the meaning of detachment as He hung dying for our sins We have a Lord who knew the full meaning of suffering yet experienced it in His flesh The question that was before my wife and me was how can the local church be a place of authenticity a home where people of all ages and journeys of life can come and be accepted for who they are What comes to my mind is the idea of a sacred space We both realized that the house of God isn t a place just for saints to gather but for broken sinners who long for grace that only Christ can provide It s here in the house of God where we leave the temporal world and encounter the holy in a timeless space awaiting something special to happen This is something that the world cannot offer We do realize that we act as His mouth hands and feet to reach others who have fallen away One thing that struck me as I reflect on our friend sitting on the sidewalk in South Portland is that I cannot judge him because I don t know anything about his life s journey As a pastor I realized that I just need to be present and open to anyone who walks through the church doors on a Sunday morning I thought of how this can be worked out practically in the local church When people come to visit us are we reluctant in giving a warm smile and a hand to shake Think of Jesus offering His hands and side I ve seen many visitors over the years come to church and sit alone without anyone noticing them Remember Jesus walked in on them when they were alone I realize that it s important not to come on too strong with visitors but I think it s important to engage with whomever comes our way I m sure that all of you like me have noticed that our culture has become incredibly disengaged in relationships as we all and again I include myself become engaged in detached relationships on the iPhone Facebook etc I think it would be rather cool to see the sanctuary as a place of total personal engagement and authenticity where we face one another talk to one another offer a shoulder or a handshake I ve always felt that the church was one place to be counter cultural I d like to hear from you all Send me an email revmwg live com Or better yet give me a personal call I need to model what I preach 11

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SET SAIL FOR PORTLAND MAINE O n June 27 30 2020 the coast of Maine and the city of Portland will host the 66th Annual Meeting and Conference of National Association of Congregational Christian Churches After all had the 1620 winds blown a little harder our forefathers and foremothers might have come ashore somewhere in Casco Bay and Portland might today be known as Plymouth Maine The Reverend Seth Jones Chair of the host committee comprised of churches from both Maine and Massachusetts along with the leadership and staff of the NACCC are planning a joyous meeting to commemorate the 400th Anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims Fifteen workshops are to be presented that will make it hard for you to choose which ones to attend You may want to encourage more members of your church to come to Portland so all workshops are covered Other highlights of our meeting in Portland will include the Reverend Dr Mary Mimi Biedron Congregational Lecturer Mimi is the Senior Minister of North Congregational Church in Farmington Hills Michigan She is a graduate of Methodist Theological School in Ohio Master of Divinity 1999 and Doctor of Ministry 2015 Her dissertation explored the historical practice and contemporary possibilities for discernment in Congregational churches Mimi has been active in local statewide and national fellowships among churches affiliated with the NACCC for 30 years and serves as a board member of the Congregational Library and Archives in Boston The Reverend Dr Gregory Mobley will be our Bible Lecturer Gregory is Professor of Old Testament at Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School He came to Yale in The Reverend Dr Gregory Mobley 2017 after twenty years of teaching Old Testament Hebrew Bible at Andover Newton Theological School 1997 2019 and at Union Theological 12 The Reverend Dr Mary Mimi Biedron Seminary in New York 1996 97 He is the author of three books The Return of the Chaos Monsters and Other Backstories of the Bible Eerdmans 2012 Samson and the Liminal Hero in the Ancient Near East T T Clark 2006 and The Empty Men The Heroic Tradition in Ancient Israel Doubleday 2005 He co authored with T J Wray The Birth of Satan Tracing the Devil s Biblical Roots Palgrave 2005 and co edited the award winning anthology of essays on interfaith learning My Neighbor s Faith Stories of Interfaith Encounter Growth and Transformation with J Peace and O Rose Orbis 2012 His primary interest is in uncovering in order to appreciate the meaning making of the stirring stories under the surface of the over edited moralistic and priestly layers of the Bible He is currently writing a commentary on Judges for the Illuminations series His teaching interests include Judges the stories of the Bible and the Bible itself as a story prophetic literature Job and reading the Bible in light of contemporary sensibilities toward environmental sustainability Gregory has done archaeological fieldwork in Israel and served as an editorial assistant on the Dead Sea Scrolls project He is an ordained American Baptist pastor The Reverend Dr Michael Piazza will be this year s Guest Workshop Lecturer Michael is a spiritual visionary author and social justice advocate and is the senior pastor of Broadway United Church of Christ on Manhattan s Upper West Side Two of Michael s books are of particular interest to Jim Waechter has been a member of Plymouth Church in Brooklyn New York for over 30 years serving on the Plymouth Council the church s governing body for 12 years and as its president for four years He chaired the Strategic Planning task team which restructured the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and was a member of the team responsible for rewriting the organization s by laws He has served as Vice Moderator and Chairperson of the Board of Directors and is currently serving as Moderator and as head of the Leadership Council The Reverend Dr Michael Piazza NACCC churches Fishing in a Shallow Sea 2019 and Vital Vintage Church 2016 In Fishing in a Shallow Sea Michael writes traditional mainline or vintage churches are struggling to navigate and adapt to the exponential rate of change that technology has created in every sector of society This change requires an institution to be agile in its structure effective in its marketing and communication engaging in its product or program offerings and efficient in its use of technology if it wants to survive His book attempts to offer alternatives that might slow or given adequate effort even reverse this decline In Vital Vintage Church he writes from the viewpoint of someone who actually attends church every Sunday someone who currently teaches in two mainline denominational seminaries consults with dozens of mainline churches and stands in the pulpit almost every Sunday where he is the senior pastor From his vantage point Michael has seen enough signs of hope to convince him that if we can change the narrative of doom and gloom many of our vintage churches are poised to experience a time of great renewal It won t happen if we continue to do business as usual but it also won t require us to abandon the church we love Taking out the pews and the stained glass isn t the answer So take a breath take the plunge and take it from one whose daily ministry is proving there is hope for the Mainline Church Michael holds bachelor s degrees in history and psychology from Valdosta State University a Master of Divinity from the Chandler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta and a doctorate from Hartford Seminary where he is a faculty associate teaching congregational renewal He is also founder and president of Agile Church Consulting Michael and his late partner Bill Eure met in 1980 and were married for 35 years Together they raised two wonderful daughters Other events of particular interest will include a visit to First Parish Church the oldest church in Portland the site of our Sunday worship service The First Parish congregation was established in 1674 and its current granite building where we will conduct our Sunday worship was completed in downtown Portland in1826 Several of the pews still denote the names of their owners the most distinguished being the Longfellow family Today the church is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association On Monday evening we will all have the option of attending a Portland Sea Jim Waechter Dogs baseball game The Sea Dogs are a farm team for the Boston Red Sox and play their games at Hadlock Field adjacent to downtown Portland The 7 368 seat stadium with a striking likeness to Fenway Park s Green Monster was recently named one of America s top minor league ballparks A private all you can eat ballpark dinner will be served at the stadium prior to game time and we are hoping the NAPF HOPE youth who are simultaneously holding their annual meeting near Portland will join us for this evening The event filled 2020 Annual Meeting will conclude on Tuesday evening with a cruise leaving from the downtown Portland harbor touring Casco Bay and then landing at a nearby island for a clam and lobster bake Dinner options other than seafood will be available The cruise to and from the island will give you a taste of Maine s remarkable coastline including its many lighthouses Please join us in Portland Maine for the 66th Annual Meeting and Conference For more information please go to www naccc org See you this summer in Maine Jim Waechter Moderator 13

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AND News NEEDS of OUR I f you are planning a trip to an NACCC mission would you please let us know The Mission and Outreach Ministry Council has a Field Interview Form to use for mission visits If you would take one with you fill it out with the missionary and take some pictures it would be a great help Thank you INVITED NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MISSIONARIES Annual Meeting and Conference AMC June 27 30 2020 Portland Maine A my Kennedy Co Director A Christian Ministry in the National Parks Colorado and Rev Matthew Oladele Christ to the Villages Nigeria are the invited missionaries for the 2020 NACCC Annual Meeting Conference Kennedy will offer a workshop titled Understanding and Engaging the Younger Generation in Christian Mission Here is the description Are you looking for ways to attract younger people to your congregation Join me for a workshop to learn more about the nuances of Millennials Gen Z and Generation Alpha We will spend time learning how they think and what they are looking for in a church We also will identify ways you can more easily target these younger generations The opportunities are endless and you might be surprised to learn just what an asset these demographics might be to your church Oladele will give an update on the Hybrid Brazilian Cashew Tree Farm and is hoping to stay through to the ICF Quadrennial Conference from July 22 28 2020 at Curry College in Milton Massachusetts COOK NATIVE AMERICAN MINISTRIES Tempe Arizona C NAMF s newest board member Vance Home Gun presented a workshop at United National Indian Tribal Youth UNITY national conference in Orlando Florida He shared his personal testimony about his relationship with Christ and how because of this connection it strengthens his culture language and relationships Native youth participants were provided examples of innovative ways to incorporate a solid spiritual belief system into their role as a student mentor teacher tribal member or leader FISHERS OF MEN As part of its mission Love Worth Sharing Haiti rescues children living on the streets in Port au Prince New Christians in India that the Holy Spirit would help them to know what to say and what not to say when non Christian relatives and religious leaders ask them Why did you become a Christian This three year old child is daughter of a Hindu family that has chosen to convert to Christianity International missionaries whose lives are regularly at risk due to political changes and terrorist activity One of our International missionaries avoided an assassination attempt because torrential rain kept the assassins from reaching him Rev Matthew Oladele who has received a new passport and has an appointment to get a visa on January 21 2020 A new visa will allow him to travel to the U S for the NACCC Annual Meeting Conference Praises for Mission and Outreach Ministry Council NACCC PO Box 288 Oak Creek WI 53154 NEEDS OF THE MISSIONS IN BRIEF Mexico For a more detailed list please contact Julie Robie at jrobie naccc org essage from Fishers of Men We thank the Lord for all that He did in and through the last crusade of 2019 in Arroyo Metate Oaxaca Fishers of Men was able to provide 858 attentions and 100 individuals are enjoying a new found relationship with Jesus Christ To God be the glory Argentina Asociacion Civil Cristiana Congregational child sponsorship tools and medicine for the clinic Cameroon Mission School of Hope mosquito nets fish farm supplies Colorado A Christian Ministry in the National Parks worship books student sponsorship Florida Bread of Life supplies for ministry to the homeless Florida Love Worth Sharing bedrolls Ghana Word Alive Mission child sponsorship and desks for the school Honduras Ministerio Vida Hospital medical and dental supplies India Indian Community Fellowship sewing machines food for the children computers Kenya Happy Life Children s Home child sponsorships building funds Kenya Pilgrim s Presence mosquito netting personal hygiene items for women and Bibles in Pokot Language Mexico Fishers of Men supplies for medical crusades Mexico Panamerican Institute student sponsorships 30 lab coats for students sizes 12 14 funding for facilities Myanmar Congregational Church of Myanmar child sponsorship support for teachers Nigeria Christ to the Villages funding for Cashew Tree Farm project Pennsylvania Hosanna Industries tools building materials classroom activity supplies Philippines National Association of Congregational Churches child support kitchen utensils kitchen appliances equipment Tennessee Morgan Scott Project gas vouchers home repair funds books and tuition for students M SEAFARER S FRIEND is requested for For more information about any of these missions or to make a donation to any of the above projects please contact Missions Administrator Julie Robie at 1 800 262 1620 ext 1618 or jrobie naccc org For a complete listing of NACCC Mission Projects please visit the website www naccc org and click on Missions I f you wonder what a day in the life of a seafarer is like go to www seafarersfriend org and watch the video Sometimes the workers are on the ship ministering to those with no shore leave or a chance to see their family for up to a year at a time On the website you will also find information about how to help them Symphony John and Nina NACCC Philippines who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary on December 21 2019 14 15

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Mrs Peabody HAS A REVIVAL by Justin Nierer A Friendly Reminder I have received numerous correspondence from wonderful people from all over the country that have been enjoying the Peabody stories I have thought about why people seem to really connect with them and have decided that these simple stories of a church antagonist gives them the reader permission to laugh and through that laughter they finally get to stand up to the bully that they might have faced in their own churches in some way The best way I have found to deal with Mrs Peabody in my own life and ministry is to write about her and to laugh at each sentence each memory It has become my way of saying get behind me Satan when there hasn t been any other way to do so So please do not take her seriously remember that she doesn t actually exist and please continue to enjoy reading and laughing at her antics and the antics of those around her So now my friends sit back and enjoy Mrs Peabody and the Christmas Miracle Justin I was asked recently if there was a Mr Peabody I think that the question wasn t really asking about Mrs Peabody s husband who we will meet in other stories but if there was a male version of her A man that would have personified a self righteousness that seemed immeasurable The answer to that question is a resounding yes and his name was Frank Frank was a trustee and wore that badge daily Truthfully I think if Frank could have worn a badge that proclaimed Church Trustee he would have faithfully Now the thing with Frank was this he was never wrong even when it would cost others and the church quite a lot for him to be right 16 For example there was the issue with the church chimney Imagine if you will my dear friends a church that has a chimney and that chimney was no longer being used It literally had no more use as a chimney So there it stood in all its bricked glory and over time it was showing major signs of wear Now please remember this chimney had no use That chimney is part of the original church structure Frank would say Meeting after meeting conversation after conversation until finally the church spends ten thousand that s a one with four zeros dollars on repairing the chimney Does the chimney have a use No it does not Could that church have used that money for other needs and ministries Yes it could have Of course when you have Frank leading the charge and certain offering checks are marked church chimney project only and there was never officially a church chimney project well you can see how he and our Mrs Peabody could and did become great friends One Sunday morning I was standing out in the foyer shaking hands and thanking people for coming It was something I have always done after the service as people are leaving I am always standing there to say hello have a quick conversation or two give a hug if needed etc This particular Sunday Mrs Peabody followed by Frank comes up to me When are we going to schedule a revival Pastor Now dear reader I knew what she was asking but I couldn t help myself when I answered isn t that up to the Holy Spirit This is when Frank stepped in Pastor Dr Thompson is available and I will pay for up to half of his expenses Oh boy I thought I know of Dr Thompson and the hair on the back of my neck stood up If there was such a thing as old school Dr Amos Thompson was the headmaster of the School of Old Well there you go Pastor Frank will cover half of it and it s something we really need to do she said with that twinkle in her eye that kept me up at night I am going to make sure I invite Jason she added and then I knew what was really going on Jason was Mrs Peabody s grandson Jason was a good kid At the time of this story he is 20 years old and had just dropped out of college because of a very toxic break up Many of us have been there He fell in love she met someone else and he was devastated Unfortunately instead of moving on Jason didn t have the self confidence to do so and ended up intoxicated more than a few times eventually having to leave school His parents kicked him out of their home and he was now living in Grandma Peabody s basement I visited him once in the basement and it was exactly that a basement Concrete floors water heater no bathroom no carpeting etc This was supposed to be a form of tough love which I of course knew wasn t going to work I ended up connecting with Jason a number of times after he left school He didn t need concrete floors to know what he did or how he reacted was wrong What he needed was someone to tell him that he was loved he was believed in and yes major heart breaks happen and are devastating but God isn t done with him not in the least Living with Mrs Peabody also meant Jason had to do everything she said to do and had to attend everything she said to attend There was also a strict curfew and I once caught her asking someone in church how to put a tracker app on a phone without the owner knowing Many weeks later after a number of meetings and discussions on how we couldn t afford not to we scheduled a revival church service with Dr Amos Thompson for at least seven days Sunday to Saturday at a cost of three thousand dollars I say at least seven days because Dr Thompson actually stated in planning meetings that if the Spirit moves he could be there for seven weeks or seven months Day one of the revival services came I greeted Dr Thompson and we had prayer in my study before the Sunday evening service I felt everything was going well so far Maybe this wouldn t be so bad I walked into the church it wasn t packed but it wasn t empty and I saw Jason sitting next to his grandmother Again I thought maybe this might have potential Dr Thompson gets behind the pulpit brings greetings and then says the following I see a drum set up here on the raised platform I went up to the last person I saw play drums in church and do you know what I said brothers and sisters I said I am going to cut off your arm so you don t play so loud With that he chuckled and there was an amen from someone in the congregation Was that supposed to break the ice Was that supposed to be a joke I started sinking in my seat This was the Amos Thompson I feared This was the style I had nightmares about All I wanted to do was run away All I wanted to do was sink so low into the pew that I disappeared He continued You also noticed I called it a raised platform and not a stage I refuse to call it a stage A stage is for the theatre This isn t a theatre This this is the House of God With that he pounded the pulpit I sank lower to where I thought I would fall off the pew I just didn t know what to do I have never felt more helpless and alone My dear wife was at home because she wasn t feeling well our son was to be born soon so there I sat praying a simple and humble prayer please Lord somehow use this I don t remember the passage Amos Thompson preached from or what the point was he was trying to make that night I just wanted to leave Frank was smiling from ear to ear Frank was absolutely loving this and it broke my heart The more Dr Thompson scolded and pounded the pulpit the bigger Frank s smile became The next day Frank posted numerous times how much he enjoyed the previous evening That Dr Thompson brought much needed truth to our ears and that Dr Thompson was an incredible man of God that would never water down the truth The second night we finish praying in my study and walk into the sanctuary I counted less than half of the people from the previous night yet there was Jason sitting next to his grandmother Mrs Peabody who was all aglow Dr Thompson gets into it right away He starts pounding the pulpit waving his Bible He starts belittling everyone that doesn t agree with him on various topics and this goes on for about an hour Again I just sit there I think I even closed my eyes a few times telling myself this was all a bad dream and I should just wake up This night though he states he wants to see some souls saved So he starts talking about making a decision taking that first step publicly saying for all to see that you are washed in the blood etc Then my dear friends then it happens Jason stood up Jason Twenty year old Jason who slept on a cot in his The Reverend Justin J Nierer is the lead pastor of Sandstone Congregational Church in Jackson Michigan He can be reached any time via email at theoutreachguy hotmail com grandmother s damp mold ridden basement was on his feet My jaw dropped Mrs Peabody s jaw dropped Frank s jaw dropped and Dr Thompson was smiling He was actually smiling As Jason stood there I wasn t sure what to do or how to feel I had spent months ministering to this guy and now I am wondering if this scolding this everlasting guilt trip was the actual way to go What about grace what about compassion what about the love of Christ I just watched as Jason took one step after another towards the speaker Then he stopped and thus created complete silence Then Jason spoke and it is something I will remember for the rest of my life Looking directly at Dr Amos Thompson Jason says the following Nah I don t think so I want to get to know Jesus in a church with a stage and drums Here you have a raised platform and some guy that has an opinion about everything including how long or how short my hair is yet he never mentions how big or how small my heart might be Jason out And with that he turned and walked out of the church I always thought that the Jason out might have been a bit much but it added that theatrical flair I had to admire Silence Beautiful wonderful silence followed and I prayed for it to last forever Eventually though Dr Amos looked at me and asked me to close the service in prayer That was all he could say that was all he could ask I offered a prayer and everyone just left There wasn t much conversation going on Just this silence that seemed to ask did that actually happen 17

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WHY we sleep in church The Reverend Dr Chris Surber is pastor of Mt Hope Congregational Church Livonia Michigan He is Executive Director of Supply and Multiply Haiti by Chris Surber We Are Not Awake to the World S noring snoozing sleepy and sleeping parishioners abound Why is that At Mt Hope Congregational Church they say it would take real commitment for someone to sleep through my militarytrained loud voice But the truth is that regardless of the eloquence passion thundering voice or struggling monotone timidity of the preacher there is too much snoring in the pews Worse yet and what this writer is really much more concerned about there are too many sleep walking Christians on the streets of daily life Sleepy Christians in the pews is careless discipleship It happens Sometimes there are even very understandable reasons Slumbering Christianity on the streets is abandon to our divine purpose and call in the world We must war against it Here are three reasons we sleepwalk and a few alarm clock thoughts 18 Life is difficult everywhere Most American Christians drastically underestimate how much richer we are compared to the rest of the world According to Gautem Nair in an article published in the Washington Post last year when polled The average U S resident estimated that the global median individual income is about 20 000 a year In fact the real answer is about a tenth of that figure roughly 2 100 per year Similarly Americans typically place themselves in the top 37 percent of the world s income distribution However the vast majority of U S residents rank comfortably in the top 10 percent We don t know what we don t know What s worse people tend to contextualize the world according to their personal experience of their little slice of it If we want a faith that works our faith can t be a Christianity that slumbers in a world that suffers Christianity is made for the stuff of real life Our way does not live in the land of dreams It is like James Baldwin said a half century ago the world suffers while we drink our Coca Cola in the suburbs We rest They groan If we affirm Christ we need to rest from resting long enough to educate ourselves about the real conditions of the world What good is it dear brothers and sisters if you say you have faith but don t show it by your actions Can that kind of faith save anyone James 2 14 NLT According to Worldhunger org for example As of 2013 when the most recent comprehensive data on global poverty was collected about 767 million people are living below the international poverty line of less than 1 90 per person per day The World Bank 2016 Hunger and poverty are just two of the conditions of the world God calls us to care about We have a collective responsibility as the ambassadors of God s grace love justice and mercy in the world As such we have an obligation to educate ourselves as to the current conditions of the world the needs in our land and how our neighbors are actually living We Are Not Awake to the Mission The Lord may take us overseas to the most impoverished parts of the world or He may draw us down the street but He is calling us into the world to live awakened lives at the intersection of the world s needs and the Christian s call So what is our call We are called to share the compassion of Jesus with everyone everywhere Love your neighbor as yourself Love the least of these as though they are Christ Himself Matthew 22 39 Matthew 25 35 36 We are called to share the good news of the Gospel that delivers humanity from sin and reconciles us to God and one another Matthew 28 16 20 Whether it is sharing a conversation with an isolated elderly man at a retirement community in our neighborhood or bringing a cup of cold water to a little girl on a mountainside in Haiti the mission is not complicated However it is as costly and inconvenient as it is a great joy No more slumbering Wake up to the mission I like the way Congregational pioneer missionary and physician David Livingstone said it If a commission by an earthly king is considered an honor how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice Wake up to the mission of God at work in the world through us Engage in life on mission Joyfully serve the Lord Our mission is the world Our mandate includes the promise that the King who sends us goes along with us as well And be sure of this I am with you always even to the end of the age Matthew 28 20b If the King of Kings has commissioned us for a life of service to others why so much s erving ourselves My early pastoral mentor Bill used to say I read the back of the book we win Brothers and sisters we may take the occasional nap in church but by the grace of God may we never be content with a slumbering faith in the world Wake up to the world Wake up to the mission Wake up to the real power we have through faith in our risen Lord We Are Not Awake to Our Mandate We have been tamed We are incalculably more capable for life on mission than our actions imply Here is a Haitian proverb that speaks well to the common condition of our courage Si b f te konn f s yo majoral pa ta lanse yo If cows knew their strength they couldn t be butchered We are dangerously domesticated Our calling is for drafty rickety missionary planes not the extravagance of pillow padded pews Pastor Chris Surber having a sweet stare down with a little friend in Montrouis Haiti in September 2019 Have you ever considered going on an international mission trip Is God nudging you to get more involved in missions Consider coming to Haiti with a thriving ministry where the Gospel and Compassion of Jesus are put on display in loving relationship driven God honoring ways Visit us online at www supplyandmultiply com to learn more Email us at contact supplyandmultiply com 19

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Recognition is due CONFIRMATION DAY by Jack Hanson Jack Hanson is a 14 year old high school freshman and member of the Congregational Church of Soquel He lives in Soquel California with his parents younger brother Mark and golden retriever Buck He swims competitively for a local swim team and is on his high school water polo team Jack is dedicated to his faith and spreading God s love by working with his church family He actively participates in Sunday school youth activities and any church outreach activities He is most passionate about helping people in need T he day I got confirmed I woke up knowing I was going to talk in front of over one hundred people I felt completely ready but nervous about sharing my Statement of Faith I went to wake up my parents I was too excited to wait for them to wake up My family and I drove to the Congregational Church of Soquel Most people know it as the little white church in Soquel My grandparents were going there even before my mom was born My mom was baptized there and so were my brother Mark and me I know some of the people at the church as well as family and the church has become one of my many second homes I don t know who I would be if I never went to this church That day we walked into the Sanctuary with another confirmand and their family I was an usher with some other confirmands When it was time I volunteered to give my Statement of Faith first I stepped up to the pulpit and everything slowed down I knew my three minute talk would feel like a lifetime My heart was racing I started to sweat and got hot and uncomfortable I said Hello my name is Jack Hanson and began 20 reading my Statement of Faith We all got to pick a Bible verse for our personal statements that is meaningful to us I picked The Mustard Seed from Matthew 17 20 22 It says He said to them Because of your little Faith For I truly tell you if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain move from here to there and it will move and nothing will be impossible for you This Bible verse is important to me because it shows you can do anything if you believe it is possible and if you work hard enough for it I finished giving my Statement of Faith and stepped down While I was listening to the other statements I realized how similar they all were even though each one was individual None of us could have written each other s statements authentically their statements were theirs and theirs only That was amazing and beautiful to me Once everyone finished reading the families of the confirmands including mine came up and put their hand on us as the Reverend and Pastor prayed over us to confirm our faith Then the whole congregation was asked if they would watch over us and they said We will We all got a certificate of confirmation from the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Each confirmand received a Bible from the church with our name on it These Bibles will be the ones we use for the rest of our lives My mom grandparents and great grandparents still use their confirmation Bibles to this day We also got gifts from some of the mentors I had picked Laura Hamby as my mentor I have known her my whole life She was going to the church before my grandparents and she married one of my aunts and uncles Laura was important to me before I was confirmed But once she was my mentor she became even more important in my life Laura was also my youth group leader at church and my mom s youth group teacher Every time I went to the classes we would play a game or two After we would talk about a Bible verse for about half an hour and then go home One of the most meaningful confirmation gifts I received was a compass from my aunt It says God on the top instead of North It is important to me because of the note my aunt wrote which said Let God be your guide Since then when something has happened that I want to act negatively about I think What would God want me to do I used this as a reminder when I shared my book idea in class One person laughed under his breath I was about to tell him to shut up But I didn t because I knew this was not the right choice and I don t want to be that kind of person Being confirmed was an amazing part of my life l loved going through the process and will never forget it I am really excited for my brother Mark to be confirmed I am so grateful for the way my parents are raising me They make my brother s and my life so wonderful They helped me become a better person through the process of confirmation Butman Awards T he recognition of one s peers is the highest form of praise so the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches NACCC is especially pleased to provide its members opportunities for recognizing ministers who have made special contributions to Congregationalism Excellence in Ministry Awards Annual Excellence in Ministry Awards are given at the discretion of the Vitality Ministry Council VMC Award nominees should exemplify personal commitment to the Congregational principles of faith freedom and fellowship Churches or individuals may make nominations Supporting documentation such as letters of support and or articles about the nominee may also be submitted to assist the VMC in its selection process The Harry R Butman Award is given to an ordained minister who has served at least 10 years in an NACCC church The nominee must have demonstrated a commitment to the principles of Congregationalism The 500 award is intended to provide ministerial assistance to lift and encourage a minister The Jennette Butman Award goes to the spouse of a Congregational minister who has served an NACCC church for at least 10 years and has assisted his or her spouse in ministry The 500 award is based on need merit or outstanding achievement Deadline for submitting nominations for the Butman awards is April 30 2019 Award winners will be announced at the 66th Annual Meeting Conference in Cleveland Joseph Jones Russell Sermon Award The J J Russell Sermon Award recognizes pastoral excellence in preaching related to Congregationalism Submitted sermons must focus on some aspect of classical Congregationalism and its relevance for today The sermon must have been preached can be preached any time from July 2019April 2021 An applicant must be an ordained pastor who is serving an NACCC active member church of under 400 congregants Submissions must include the following 1 A copy of the Sunday worship bulletin at which the sermon was preached 2 DVD YouTube or website link of the sermon in its entirety visual and audio preferred 3 Full manuscript or a minimum two page outline transcript of the sermon 4 Send links and documents to Mrs Cynthia Hardy via email at cahlead2015 gmail com Please email Cynthia if you require a mailing address or for submitting a DVD The winner of the Russell Award will be announced at the 67th Annual Meeting and Conference in Spokane Washington Winner of the award will receive 350 full registration to the NACCC Annual Meeting and Conference and a 50 percent discount on the room rate at the meeting Nomination Forms To obtain a nomination form go online to http www naccc org awards html All completed nomination forms and materials should be submitted by email to cahlead2015 gmail com 21

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HONESTLY The Reverend Dr James P Nichols is pastor at First Congregational Church in Stanton Michigan He and wife Michelle have raised their three children in Stanton since coming to pastor FCC in 2002 by James P Nichols M ost readers of The Congregationalist will be familiar with the oft quoted words of Edward Winslow While recounting John Robinson s 1620 farewell message to the Pilgrims Winslow recalled Robinson was very confident the Lord had more truth and light yet to breake sic forth out of his holy 1 Word I ve been troubled whenever modern Congregationalists have invoked the first portion of this quote as intellectual immunity against thoughtful critique Don t question me it is implied even if my beliefs are different than yours My views are simply more truth and light breaking forth Hold on a sec so yesterday s beliefs used to be true but no longer are So then historic Pilgrim beliefs that differ from modern beliefs were false all along Then what about tomorrow s beliefs would that make today s truth preveniently false And from where is this shifting truth breaking forth exactly God s holy Word I love truth Truth is like a best friend Because there is an all powerful God who created and sustains everything truth is his calling card I want to know truth I want to understand truth The most basic thing about myself that I m sure is true is that I care about truth I want to think truly act truly reason truly and above all recognize truth no matter where I find 22 it Since truth is so marvelous I want as much as my finite mind can contain I want nothing but that which is true I want to rid myself of everything that is not truth I want to be governed by the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help me God I want truth in the church I want truth in theology I want truth in relationships I want truth in my preaching I want truth to govern every synaptic impulse in my mental processes I m not alone in my love for truth Everybody reading this loves it too We love witnesses who testify truthfully We love when our physicians make truthful diagnoses We love when bankers report truthful balances We love when the gauges on our cars reflect reality as it truly is We love when our children tell us the truth of their whereabouts We love it when an invoice is truly paid in full We love to hear friends and family express love for us that is true And when interacting with the people in our lives we admire qualities such as honesty transparency and vulnerability Most of us would rather have someone speak truth forthrightly than beat around the bush As I say everybody loves truth We depend on it to function Dishonesty in any form is a lie The devil is the father of lies and obfuscation is his whore Truth absolutely exists and consequently so does absolute truth Pontius Pilate dodged judicial integrity with his famous question to Jesus What is truth Whether or not he cared to hear an answer he intuitively recognized that asking the question was itself a true action It s no different today Whenever philosophical types ask the same question it is presumed someone will truly understand the question and truly respond with a truly comprehensible reply Similarly our society even religious society may question the existence of absolute truth but the very act of questioning confirms its existence Erudite friends have absolutely criticized me for oversimplifying things and of black and white thinking Such criticism at its very core proves the point Either my thinking is black white or it isn t There s simply no escaping the truefalse dichotomy We need oxygen to talk about pulmonology We need minds to contemplate epistemology We need the existence of absolute truth to talk about everything including uncertainty It s as CS Lewis said I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else A message to my postmodern peers There is far less gray than you claim and uncertainty is not a virtue Dodging propositional truth in order to remain open is not the same thing as openminded humility I wonder do you prefer to remain open in order to avoid commitment and or accountability Is it not duplicitous to demand truth when boarding an airplane or talking to a physician only to ignore truth with regard to the most basic theological considerations Furthermore the foundational realities of Christian knowing are obscured and confusion is stirred when we expel certainty from our Bibliology but retain it demand it even for other metaphysical realities such as human worth justice cordiality freedom and so on When it comes to the original Pilgrims religious truth was always and only determined by careful examination of the Bible If we remove that historic foundation we become a people whose feet are firmly planted in midair This is extremely dangerous Without an abiding foundation the church will be tossed back and forth by every wind of teaching Eph 4 14 The espousal of any theological certainty must be established in Scripture According to Winslow Robinson affirmed this when he reminded the departing Pilgrims to examine and compare and weigh claims with other Scriptures before accepting anything that appears to be breaking forth My prayer for myself and my Congregational relatives is that the God of Heaven would firmly establish us in all that is true and only what is true the exclusive truth Himself Jesus Christ Col 2 6 8 We know of Him and His work by the same book as our Pilgrim forebears We must persist in our love for this precious book and must study it as though truth hangs in the balance because it does We must so dearly love truth that we welcome its realization even if we stand corrected even if the correction stings An unwavering commitment to biblical truth may even lead to rejection just as it did for our Lord but that s great company to be in If you know the truth the truth will set you free Jesus How about you dear reader Are you willing to subject your beliefs to the truth and light of God s Holy Word Are you eager to put your beliefs under God s scrutiny and say with David Search me O God Are you willing if warranted to abandon some cherished belief because you d rather stand with God than with anyone else Will you consider correction if a fellow pilgrim comes alongside you in love and shines the light of truth on an error Over and over throughout our lives and all the while looking intently into the perfect law that gives freedom we must ask the Holy Spirit Am I deceived Remember one of the Spirit s primary roles is guiding the Christian into all truth John 16 13 So then the phrase more truth and light yet to break forth from God s holy Word is spot on IF we don t forget that the source of truth and light is not founded in individual whim or popular opinion God s Holy Word stands as the highest and final arbiter by which all claims are measured This is what it means to seek truth the Pilgrim Way And this is my prayer that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God Phil 1 9 11 As far as this writer knows there is no extant manuscript of Robinson s farewell sermon The words as they ve always been known are from Winslow s pen and in the context of his recollections of Robinson s farewell sermon Because of this proper credit for the quote belongs to Winslow rather than Robinson 23

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A Quiet Day in the Spirit of the Pilgrims Peter A McKernan Hospitality Center Southern Maine Community College South Portland Maine T he Reverend Dr Thomas M Richard former Executive Secretary of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and leader of many spiritual retreats will be the guide for this historic year s Quiet Day Retreat on Friday June 26 2020 from 9 00 am to 3 30 pm The Peter A McKernan Hospitality Center of the Southern Maine Community College situated right on Casco Bay the Atlantic Ocean will be the backdrop for this day in which participants will enter into silence and ponder how to be 21st century spiritual pilgrims The cost is 30 00 which includes lunch Pre registration is required by May 20 2020 A form and payment information are available by contacting the Reverend Dr Charles Packer at drcapacker gmail com Forms also were sent to all NACCC churches in the recent bulk mailing Those who do pre register should plan to meet in the lobby of the Holiday Inn by the Bay hotel by 8 00 am Please do not send any information or payment with your registration for the Annual Meeting and Conference or to the NACCC office in Oak Creek Wisconsin Ferry at Casco Bay Courtesy VisitPortland com Necrology2020 Elvera Leversuch Elvera Leversuch a long time and active member of North Congregational Church died on December 12 2019 She was 96 years old Elvera served as Moderator of the NACCC for the 32nd Annual Meeting in Estes Park Colorado She also served on the Nominating Committee 7 1 1988 6 30 1990 Program Committee 7 1 1986 6 30 1987 Women s Commission 7 1 1969 6 30 1972 Moderator 7 1 1985 7 1 1986 and Secretary 7 1 1973 6 30 1983 She was wife of the late Frederick V Leversuch DDS She is survived by daughters Martha Leversuch Mary Robert Sorensen and Nancy James Battle two grandchildren and four great grandchildren A Memorial Service was held at North Congregational Church Farmington Hills His Generosity Lives On by Debby Fulton Director of Development and Communications NACCC Congregational Foundation The Voyage Continues at the Quadrennial Conference International Congregational Fellowship July 23 27 2020 in Boston Massachusetts Commemorate Learn From Our Speakers Share Join 24 Reserve Your Space Registration fee begins at US 760 person For Information Contact Mike Fales at 269 749 7624 S uccessful generous dedicated kindhearted thoughtful and knowledgeable with strong values is how many people would describe Grant Stannard He was born in Lincoln Nebraska on March 23 1924 and passed away on August 28 2019 at the age of 95 His love and support of the National Association of Congregational Churches NACCC and the Congregational Foundation will never be forgotten Grant was a very successful businessman and gave of his time talent and treasure to local and national charities The NACCC and the Congregational Foundation were just The Reverend Bobbie Chapman The Reverend Bobbie Chapman passed away on January 25 2020 She was currently serving as pastor of the Raymond United Methodist Church in Raymond New Hampshire and formerly served the Founders Congregational Church in Harwinton Connecticut Rev Chapman was active in Congregational matters on a local regional and national level A soft spoken champion of the Congregational way she was active in the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and served on the Commission on Youth Ministries 7 1 2003 until 6 30 2007 Executive Committee 7 1 2007 until 6 30 2013 and Nominating Committee 7 1 2015 6 30 2018 two of many non profit organizations that Grant immersed himself with As a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church in Wichita Kansas Grant was asked in 1975 to join the NACCC committee of Congregational Foundation for Theological Studies and from there for the next several years participated on three other NACCC committees In 2003 his role as one of the founding members of Board of Governors of the Congregational Foundation began Over the next 12 years Grant dedicated himself to building and strengthening the Foundation He believed that establishing the Congregational Foundation which was created to help support the long term financial needs of the NACCC was key to the Association s continued success Former board member and friend Jim Hopkins writes Grant was the epitome of a perfect foundation board member His business management experience combined with his years of non profit board work provided a strong base for his contribution To experience Grant brought his strong set of values his unspoken commitment to the Congregational church and a generous nature As we tackled legal tax and development issues he was fully present his value clearly apparent Because of the role Grant played in the Congregational Foundation and being a man that walked the talk he recognized the importance of supporting and growing endowments and long term gift planning Grant found it in his heart to provide a generous planned gift to the Foundation s Operating Endowment This substantial gift will have an abiding impact and help sustain the Foundation for years to come We can t thank him enough for all that he has done for both organizations and for his commitment to the Congregational way Grant lived his life to the fullest and made a difference in the lives of all he touched In closing I am reminded of Grants motto which was Learn from yesterday live for today and hope for tomorrow 25

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Pastorates PULPITS 2020 CALENDAR Recent Calls Rev Averill Elizbeth Blackburn Interim Minister Florence Congregational Church Florence MA September 1 2019 Rev Kevin Smail Founders Congregational Church Harwinton CT November 3 2019 Dr Patrick Horn Pilgrim Congregational Church Pomona CA December 1 2019 Installations Rev Steven P Blackburn Ph D Colebrook Congregational Church Colebrook CT May 1 2019 Olivet Congregational Church Major responsibilities include leading worship services community outreach and a strong emphasis on visitation of members and shut ins Regular office hours are expected olivetcongregational org 26 In Search Senior Minister Arbor Grove Congregational Church Jackson MI Crystal Congregational Church Crystal MI First Congregational Church Interlachen FL First Congregational Church Naples FL First Congregational Church Yarmouth Port MA First Congregational Church South Paris ME First Congregational Church Hudson MI First Congregational Church Wayne MI Olivet Congregational Church Olivet MI Second Congregational Church Warren ME Stafford Springs Congregational Church Stafford Springs CT St Jacobi Congregational Church Richfield WI Tinley Park Community Church Tinley Park IL Westchester Congregational Church Colchester CT Associate Minister First Congregational Church Mansfield OH in Olivet Michigan seeks a full time pastor to lead a theologically diverse congregation Candidates must have a strong affinity for service and outreach to the community We are seeking a pastor with a strong faith compassion and good communication skills who can lead us on the next phase of our Christian journey Rev Kathryn Elliot Rev James Elliot First Congregational Church Terre Haute IN October 21 2019 Interim Minister Heritage Congregational Church Madison WI Intentional Transitional Minister First Congregational Church Salt Lake City UT Non NACCC Church Senior Minister Founded 1844 on Olivet College Campus Interested candidates may view our complete profile and apply on line at www naccc org Olivet Congregational Church Search committee PO Box 368 Olivet MI 49076 First Congregational Church United Church of Christ Springfield VT Monadnock Congregational Church Colebrook NH First Congregational Church UCC Whitman MA SAVE THE DATES Editor Marianne E King Publisher Carrie Dahm Contributing Editor Julie Robie Graphic Design Goes Studio APRIL 20 23 2020 Minister s Convocation Subscriptions Policy JUNE 26 2020 Quiet Day McKernan Hospitality Center South Portland Maine One subscription is provided free of charge to each individual requestor who is a member of a church in fellowship with the National Association JUNE 27 30 2020 66th Annual Meeting Conference of the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches Portland Maine JULY 22 28 2020 International Congregational Fellowship Quadrennial Conference Curry College Milton Massachusetts NACCC Advertising Inquiries Editorial Inquiries Subscription Inquiries 8473 South Howell Avenue Oak Creek WI 53154 naccc naccc org Marianne E King 800 262 1620 ext 1624 editor naccc org Editorial Advisory Team Rev Dawn Carlson Rev Dr Barry W Szymanski Randy Asendorf Rev Dr Michael Glidden Carrie Dahm 800 262 1620 ext 1612 cdahm naccc org Tracy Bernhardt 800 262 1620 ext 1615 naccc naccc org 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 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 The 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 office 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 Donations are tax deductible except for the first 15 of donation per subscription received by the taxpayer per year The 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 53201 0288 Periodicals postage paid at Madison WI and additional mailings offices POSTMASTER Send address changes to The Congregationalist 8473 S Howell Ave Oak Creek WI 53201 0288 The Congregationalist Online Our Web site congregationalist org features PDF files of the current issue plus back issues and a searchable index of all articles Each new issue is posted on the Web when the printed version is mailed so you can read it online days or even weeks before the printed copy reaches your mailbox Enjoy SUBSCRIBING CANCELING MOVING Email us at naccc naccc org To discontinue receiving the magazine contact Tracy Bernhardt at 800 262 1620 ext 1612 or email naccc naccc org 2020 The National Association of Congregational Christian Churches All rights reserved 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 27

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The Congregationalist March 2020

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