February 2010

The month of January is often a month of new beginnings. A new year gives many of us the sense that everything can begin anew! This January at Redlands United Church of Christ was no exception and what a beginning it was!

The annual meeting was full of celebration of the accomplishments of the last twelve months and hope for the coming twelve. The list of events, challenges, joys, successes, groups, and gatherings seemed to go on forever! It never ceases to amaze me how much such a small and mighty congregation can do! Mahatma Gandhi has been quoted as saying, “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.” I think RUCC has a keen sense of that difference and have strived to make it as small a gap as possible. We know that God acts through us to accomplish wondrous works and we made our hands, feet, hearts and minds available to the Holy Spirit.

We also elected a new board to help facilitate the efforts of the church and provide leadership in each of the Areas: Worship, Stewards, Church Growth, Education, Church Life, Shepherds, and Wider Ministries. Each area has a long list of volunteers that will take on new challenges with hope and energy. If you have been around here for long, you know that the network of leaders and followers is very fluid. There is very little “org chart” hierarchy as countless people see what needs to be done and follow the callings of the Spirit. Sometimes that means that things can quickly change directions. Plans may slow down or even stop based on the collective interpretations of God’s nudging. I don’t believe I’ve ever heard an RUCC’r utter the church-numbing phrases “We’ve never done it that way before,” nor “We’ve always done it that way.”

Here are some of the ideas that have already surfaced about possibilities and opportunities for 2010:

Many are hearing a call toward addressing building needs as we continue to explore what physical space we need for our ministry. Our building already is home to many community organizations and was designed and consecrated to provide a ministry of shelter and welcome to groups that often cannot find space elsewhere. We will also be looking into a new organ to replace the one that has served us well for many years but is nearing the point of being un-repairable.

We are exploring options to help solve local hunger problems. A group has already asked the board to approve the formal initiation of a pilot program to address this ongoing need right here in our own community.

This summer, we will take our first Thin Places tour. Thin Places are those places on earth where the Divine is especially present and able to be experienced. A group will be touring Stonehenge and the Isle of Iona, where they will be part of a program of work and study of Celtic spirituality and prayer.

2010 will bring the first federal court ruling on the constitutionality of Prop 8, legislation on health care, immigration reform, and many other opportunities for our church to be involved in ensuring that our laws are fair and inclusive. Our church and our denomination have a long history of ensuring political and social justice, knowing that the weak and oppressed were the ones that Jesus reached out to and the ones that God asks us to help bring into full citizenship.

Where will you be twelve months from now? Who will you be? I hope you will be a traveler on the journey with Redlands UCC. In the words of the hymn by Julian Rush, “In the midst of new dimensions, in the face of changing ways, who will lead the pilgrim people wandering their separate ways? God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, we your people, ours the journey now and ever more.”

With optimism and hope,
Loring Fiske-Phillips

 

Intern’s Message

   Five months ago, I walked into RUCC’s worship service for the first time. I’m still amazed at how welcoming you were to this stranger. Although I had visited on weekdays to meet with Sharon, Leif, and the personnel committee, the bus schedules were such that a Sunday visit was not an option. In the way these things usually work out, I was finally able to buy a car just in time for the first Sunday of fall semester; and so on that first day I had never met most of you. Yet you welcomed me as if I was an old friend, or at least an old friend’s daughter.

   You have been patient and gracious with an intern still learning pretty much everything. When I read so quietly and quickly that I doubt many people could understand, you were patient and not a single person ever said a cruel word. On the contrary, several made a point of suggesting ways to do better next time, others found something good to praise even in those first weeks, and others offered a friendly face when I looked out at the congregation. When I first stood at the door and wished that the earth would rise up and swallow me, you were kind.

   As I look at what I’ve written, it reminds me of the I Corinthians passage Sharon read this past Sunday. This congregation has consistently been patient and kind to me, and has never been arrogant or rude. Thank you for acting in such a loving way. There’s a consistency in caring for one another, welcoming and caring for new seminary interns, and caring for people “out there” by taking kids to see their imprisoned moms or donating to help those in Haiti. You are an amazing group of people, and I’m honored to have the chance to learn from you.

   This next semester I will be trying more difficult tasks, including preaching and leading a few weeks of Sunday school. I am grateful that I can count on your patience and kindness, and, as I look forward to this next semester, hope that it will be a good experience for us all.

Jen Neibling, Seminary Intern