Where did summer go? It seems that with a blink of an eye, June, July, and August whisked by, and planning for the new fall, church season began. It is hard to believe that Pastor Heather and I have been serving as your co-pastors and Pastor BJ has been serving as your transitional pastor for more than a year now. And what a year it has been! We have discerned, discussed, and implemented new ways of being church. And we have learned that despite our anxiousness about what will come next, several things remain constant and true.
ELPC is still a pillar in this community, touching the lives of people who have never set foot in our doors, as well as people and members who do so frequently. We continue to worship every Sunday, sing songs and hymns of praise, pray for our community and ourselves, and hear the Word of God read and proclaimed. We continue to celebrate our traditions—Rally Day, the Church Extravaganza, Advent, Lent, as well as our sacraments of Baptism and The Lord’s Supper.
There is continuity even in the midst of change. Continuity and change are the two things we can and do count on in life. Pauline Keezer, who served as the Secretary of the State of Connecticut (1991–1995) wrote, “Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights.” ELPC, we are deeply rooted in Presbyterianism—we are “reformed and always reforming” Therefore, being complacent and satisfied with doing things the way we always have is counter to that which we believe.
Before anyone accuses me of being a heretic, I am not suggesting that I am not suggesting that we discontinue engaging in our traditions that are edifying, worshipful, and glorifying to God. AND I wholeheartedly believe that God has given us this time to consider how or whether God is calling us to incorporate new ways of being the church. This is not a call to do more—but a call to prayerfully examine all of our current missions, ministries, and programs, and to seek God’s guidance on whether we continue to do what we have always done and the way we have always done things; or is it time for us to collectively seek grow our branches in new or different ministry directions that exemplify the love of God?So, as we plan for the upcoming fall season and beyond, we covet your input on how we might mutually shake things up. Yes, change is not and should not solely be the work of staff or even Session—we are collectively the body of Christ, and ELPC is a church where everyone is valued and can contribute; a church where everyone is encouraged to actively be involved and to get their hands dirty.
We are a church with deep and wide roots, and the opportunity to change, and to move in different, and new directions will enable us to be relevant and speak to the world in ways that will be received. To move in truncated directions may result in deeper and expanded spiritual and numerical growth. Numerical growth is good, but it is not our ultimate goal. C.S. Lewis wrote, “Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth.”
As counterintuitive as it may seem, shall we collectively and prayerfully discern how we might live more fully in continuity and change? Isaiah’s good news continually wells up in my spirit, “God is doing a new thing, do you not perceive it?” Even God who is unchangeable does new things. Perhaps it is time for us to do the same!
—Pastor Patrice