The State of things

This whole state has a “new” feel to it.  I noticed it last summer when we were here.  I guess it is “new” when I think about it.  Our new Alaskan license plate is commemorating the state’s 50th anniversary in 2009.  I live in a state that isn’t even 50 years old.  That really isn’t that big a deal until I reflect on how just a couple years ago Ohio celebrated their anniversary in 2003.  Two hundred years…and on top of that, the town of Marietta is the “first permanent settlement in the Northwest territory.”  That’s from the days when Ohio was considered “northwest” in America.  How strange is that when I look at it from here!

The Homer United Methodist Church isn’t much older than the state of Alaska either.  In fact, this church has a new feel to it when I consider it.  Maybe that’s why I feel so much excitement as I keep listening to people and trying to get a feel for things around here.  I have ideas coming to me about ministries that might be meaningful, new ways to reach this community, ways to be with people in need.  By that I don’t mean that there isn’t a lot going on around here right now (or that there hasn’t been a wonderful witness from this church for many years now) because there is a lot going on and I didn’t need to be here as long as I have already to realize that there have been amazing ministries happening here for years and years.  I guess the sense of beginning again has something to do with the fact that I never began ministry in a church following a year of interim pastoral leadership before.  That’s the case here.  So for the past 12 months a series of 3 interim pastors have offered their amazing breadth of experience in ministry and church leadership leading up to my service here.

I see a solid foundation of teamwork coming together and I’m trying to build on that.  But the real newness I sense is in a profound feeling of “beginning again together”.  I like that.  And I am feeling free to dream and envision and invite the church members and leadership teams to discern with me where God is calling us next.

My work so far has been an interesting mix of several things.  Worship leadership, which has felt really good; Building project details, which I hope is helping this arduous process; simply meeting people in the church and community, that feels like it is taking too long but I don’t think it can be rushed; caring for those who are hospitalized or in need, which feels as though it is just getting started (it takes some time to build trust when it comes to pastoral care); and attending my first meetings with the various committees and groups of the church.  I am extremely fortunate to have Karen with me to talk over ideas and ponder questions together.  Our whole Alaskan journey has really been a mutual and shared part of our lives.  Will this someday be looked back on as one of the best parts?  Who knows.

One of the interim pastors communicated to me a couple of months ago that the church is ready for “programming leadership”.  I’m hoping that some new small groups events that will be meaningful for the church- along with people from the community who might be invited- will develop in the weeks and months to come.  That’s one of my prayers for the state of things around here.

PS: We saw a moose and her calf just across the street from our house this morning.  Karen might include a photo on her blog.