Nov 17 2009
The Challenge of Time: IX in our series “The Way of Pilgrimage”
Preached by Winton Boyd on Sunday, November 15th, 2009
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Archive for November, 2009
Nov 13 2009
December 13th Congregational Meeting
The Leadership Team has called a congregational meeting for Sunday, December 13 immediately following worship to act on the following motion:
The Leadership Team unanimously and enthusiastically recommends to the congregation Option 2B as the goal of our facility improvements; and recommends to the congregation the retaining of Havey and Associates to guide us in conducting this capital campaign to raise the necessary funds.
Nov 09 2009
Journey with Grief and Loss
preached by Winton Boyd on Sunday, November 8, 2009
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Nov 03 2009
The Beautiful Chaos of Fall – A Boydseye View
Winton Boyd, November 2, 2009
There is something wonderfully chaotic about this neighborhood right now. Because of so many wonderful trees, the stages of “leaf falling” are numerous. Chinese Maples let go almost a month ago, while the Black Oaks may hang on til spring. At home, we wait to rake until November because raking earlier is simply for naught. One day last week, many of our neighbors had raked all of their leaves while 90% of ours had yet to fall. Walking the streets reveals all kinds of piles – on the boulevard and on the street, large and small, next to clean yards and next to un-raked yards, and even leaves blowing from one yard to another. All waiting for the unannounced city trucks to come and take them to make compost. As one with dozens of trees in my yard, I give thanks every year for the blessing of city trucks taking yard waste away. It is a beautiful kind of chaos out there right now, but it is chaos.
As I walked to church today, it seemed like a great metaphor for the church. All kinds of people and ages with all kinds of interests. All kinds of expectations and hopes fueled by diverse experiences in and out of the church. In the world of simple religion and easy answers, we are a beautifully chaotic church that thrives on the mystery of grace. However, it is not without its bumps. We like different kinds of music and most of our opinions are shaped by our past experiences. We expect different things from worship, a sermon, a kids program, a youth program, and in outreach. I love the diversity and would not have it any other way. I love working with staff and lay leaders who are willing to try things knowing they may not work, but knowing they are worth trying. In a community like this, listening is as important as talking, and the more transparent and open we can be about it, the better. It is the way community should be.
I’m grateful for Ken Pennings, coming with new ideas, new language, new energy and relish his perspective as a new member of our community. We both value discussion and discernment, which means we talk a lot. I am learning. He is learning. I think we will all learn from his leadership as it continues to unfold. I am grateful for Tammy Marten’s courage in rolling out new programs and ideas for our kids. To be honest, she inherited a program in disarray (not the beautiful chaos of a autumn street, and has persistently and consistently worked at developing new leaders with new visions for new children. While you may notice it in worship on Sunday, I would encourage you to go out of your way to walk the education hallway to see it firsthand. I value our lay and paid music staff, office manager Debbie Bauerkemper, custodian Tim Rotar, and our Leadership Team. Approaching 11 years as your senior pastor, I am aware that complacency is the biggest threat to a community led by a long-term pastorate. I value the challenges the come from expected and unexpected places. It helps clarify my own goals and dreams for my work, for us as a congregation, for the future of this evolving congregation. [The annual goals for both Tammy and me are posted on the website under “pastoral columns” if you are interested in seeing more- www.orucc.org]
As we celebrate Stewardship Sunday this Sunday, we have the chance to take stock of our own connection and commitment to this mysterious community and the more mysterious nature of God’s grace in our own lives. We have received “grace upon grace”. I invite you to live with generosity of spirit and generosity of resources so that you, and others, may be steeped even more deeply in that beautiful and chaotic Spirit of God.
