First Trinity started a new Sunday School program with the help of a cadre of volunteers. Sheila McCoy worked with Pastors Wendy and Tom to organize the program and recruit teachers and musicians as well as people willing to help in the nursery. Dan McCoy provided 'behind the scene' assistance and support. Sheila and Dan's leadership, the pastors' time and expertise and the volunteers' commitment turned this long-hoped for program into a reality with the first class on October 12.
Our small number of children gives us room to grow. We are using the same curriculum as St. Matthew’s and look forward to adding their children, youth and teachers to build a joint Christian education program that serves all of our young people.
I commend all the people who have worked to make Sunday School a reality at FT. I have very clear and fond memories of my Sunday School teachers and I hope that our young people will build similar relationships with people that they might not otherwise get to know. It is likely that most of my Sunday School teachers have no idea how important they were in my life, and I wish that I had told them.
A vibrant Sunday School both builds community within our congregations and offers visitors additional resources. The time that has gone into developing this program, and the efforts that will continue to build it are well spent. Thank you to those with the vision, energy and commitment to make it happen.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
On our way rejoicing
I am very pleased that the proposal to partner with St. Matthew’s Lutheran for worship, education and programs was passed unanimously by the congregation today. Hopefully it was also approved by St.M's congregation and we can begin worshipping together next Sunday, October 26.
St. M’s president Dave Rhodes came over to talk to me before worship this morning. He wanted make sure that First Trinity really wanted this partnership with St.M’s before he met with his congregation. I assured him that I had not heard any negative reaction and that most people who talked to me about it indicated they saw this as an opportunity God put before us. I told him how hospitable and flexible that First Trinity was, and that I was sure that FT’s people would warmly welcome St.M’s.
We also talked about the need for good communication and the quick formation and meeting of the Partnership Committee, the group charged with coordinating the details of our joint ministries and addressing issues that arise.
Dave told me that St.M’s people have permanent nametags which they wear, which will help us identify and greet them and distinguish them from visitors. We will need to get – and wear -nametags. I suspect this will be helpful not just at the beginning, but on an on-going basis, since both congregations have members that for various reasons attend worship less regularly.
St.M’s attendance is now smaller than it had been. This will help us get to know them better sooner, but I hope it is our common goal to grow the attendance of both congregations and reach out to visitors.
Unfortunately neither Dave nor I will be able to attend church next Sunday, which we both regret. I look forward to hearing how things went, both good and bad. Good communication both within each congregation and between us is essential in living out God’s call to joint ministry. I am confident that with God’s blessings, open hearts, and good communication we will be proud of what we build together, and both congregations will be stronger for having journeyed together.
St. M’s president Dave Rhodes came over to talk to me before worship this morning. He wanted make sure that First Trinity really wanted this partnership with St.M’s before he met with his congregation. I assured him that I had not heard any negative reaction and that most people who talked to me about it indicated they saw this as an opportunity God put before us. I told him how hospitable and flexible that First Trinity was, and that I was sure that FT’s people would warmly welcome St.M’s.
We also talked about the need for good communication and the quick formation and meeting of the Partnership Committee, the group charged with coordinating the details of our joint ministries and addressing issues that arise.
Dave told me that St.M’s people have permanent nametags which they wear, which will help us identify and greet them and distinguish them from visitors. We will need to get – and wear -nametags. I suspect this will be helpful not just at the beginning, but on an on-going basis, since both congregations have members that for various reasons attend worship less regularly.
St.M’s attendance is now smaller than it had been. This will help us get to know them better sooner, but I hope it is our common goal to grow the attendance of both congregations and reach out to visitors.
Unfortunately neither Dave nor I will be able to attend church next Sunday, which we both regret. I look forward to hearing how things went, both good and bad. Good communication both within each congregation and between us is essential in living out God’s call to joint ministry. I am confident that with God’s blessings, open hearts, and good communication we will be proud of what we build together, and both congregations will be stronger for having journeyed together.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Partnership with St. Matthew Lutheran
Following worship October 19 the congregation will meet in the Fellowship Hall to consider a recommendation from the Church Council to invite St. Matthew's to join with us in partnership while their facility is being built.
We have been praying, talking, thinking and planning about this for the past six weeks. We have figured out some things, decided some things can be determined later, and probably have not anticipated many other potential issues. For now, this is what we know:
3 St. Matthew's has torn down their church at 222 M Street SW and plan to build a sanctuary, 200 apartments (15% affordable for middle income workers), a community center named after Thurgood Marshall and his wife, Cecilia, and a coffee shop called Sacred Grounds. They want to include a thrift shop, provide childcare and be a gathering place for Southwest. St. Matthews works with Arena Stage and is getting their assistance to make their new sanctuary performance ready.
3 St. Matthew's is seeking a congregation to worship with rather than worship out of temporary housing. They want to join us for worship rather than worshipping separately. They are interested in joining FT because we they believe we share a mission orientation.
3 St. Matthew's worships 35 to 60 per Sunday and loves to sing. They are a diverse congregation, with 50% African American membership, 15% East African, 10% Caribbean, and 25% Caucasian.
3 The vision is for integration of our congregations, with each maintaining their own identity. We would worship together and have the opportunity to participate in each other’s programs.
3 We will work together to jointly promote and offer Sunday School. St. Matthew's offers Sunday School to about 10 elementary and high school children and we have just started a pre-K-K Sunday School using the same curriculum series.
3 St. Matthew's has about 10 to 20 choir members, and have some people interested in bell choir. They have a choir director that Steve Brodd has talked to and believes they would work well together.
3 The plan is to have a joint worship committee and for Pastor Huber to share responsibility for preaching with Pastors Tom and Wendy preaching every third Sunday. St. Matthew’s might offer a Sing and Rejoice (contemporary styled) service as outreach, and FT would be welcome to participate. In addition they intend to hold regular events on their property to maintain a presence in their community.
3 St. Matthew's has very little need for space – they have few possessions left and they are mostly in storage. Their pastor does not anticipated needing an office, but understands we do not have one available but that he could talk to CFLS if they decide they need one.
3 St. Matthew's expects to pay for the additional costs FT will incur in the arrangement, though they are very limited financially. They currently have a bridge loan from Thrivent until their redevelopment payment arrives.
3 St. Matthew’s has asked to come to join us as guests, but we envision a partnership in worship, fellowship and programs. This is quite different from a merger, as it is important for both churches to keep their identities and own special brands. Our goal is that both churches leave the partnership stronger, with increased capacity to live out their mission in their own neighborhoods.
While this is what we know, there is much we do not know:
3 We have not determined how we will handle every detail of our lives together. We will work this out at the most appropriate level but will have a Partnership Committee consisting of the pastors and three representatives of each congregation. They will define how often they meet and how they will operate. Their goal is to see that communication happens and that issues are prevented, and if not, addressed and resolved. However, we know that the success or failure of this venture rests not with the Partnership Committee, but with the individual members of both congregations. Everyone has both a stake and a responsibility to be welcoming, and flexible, seek to work together and let their pastors; staff and lay leaders know when they are uncomfortable, or when they see problems that need to be addressed.
3 We cannot anticipate how it will feel to have a significantly larger worshipping congregation. We may find people sitting in the seats we prefer to occupy. We may have to work hard to both maintain relationships with our own members and get to know both St. Matthew’s members and our own new and prospective members. This is especially challenging for a congregation that does not necessarily have the same sort of mid-week encounters with members that I was used to in smaller communities in Minnesota. Here we need to make an intentional effort to connect, and that may be more difficult with more people. We all need to take responsibility for how we are feeling, and be willing to share our concerns.
3 We may find we need to use space differently. We will simply have to monitor that and adjust as needed.
3 We aren’t sure how long this arrangement is to continue. St. Matthew’s believes they can be in their building in three years, so that is what we have put in our proposed Memorandum of Understanding. However, given the economy and the fact they are just beginning to draw their plans, we may need to be flexible. Our MOU gives us the potential of ending the partnership early, or extending it.
There will surely be other anticipated and unanticipated challenges. However, this is an opportunity that I believe we must welcome. We will surely need to practice hospitality. But that is something at which FT excels. Just as communication is important with St. Matthews, it is important within or own FT family. With God's help we will find the balance between sharing worship and programs and maintaining our separate identities so that we will eventually separate, both stronger for our time together. I look forward to the discussion at the October 19 Congregational Assembly.
We have been praying, talking, thinking and planning about this for the past six weeks. We have figured out some things, decided some things can be determined later, and probably have not anticipated many other potential issues. For now, this is what we know:
3 St. Matthew's has torn down their church at 222 M Street SW and plan to build a sanctuary, 200 apartments (15% affordable for middle income workers), a community center named after Thurgood Marshall and his wife, Cecilia, and a coffee shop called Sacred Grounds. They want to include a thrift shop, provide childcare and be a gathering place for Southwest. St. Matthews works with Arena Stage and is getting their assistance to make their new sanctuary performance ready.
3 St. Matthew's is seeking a congregation to worship with rather than worship out of temporary housing. They want to join us for worship rather than worshipping separately. They are interested in joining FT because we they believe we share a mission orientation.
3 St. Matthew's worships 35 to 60 per Sunday and loves to sing. They are a diverse congregation, with 50% African American membership, 15% East African, 10% Caribbean, and 25% Caucasian.
3 The vision is for integration of our congregations, with each maintaining their own identity. We would worship together and have the opportunity to participate in each other’s programs.
3 We will work together to jointly promote and offer Sunday School. St. Matthew's offers Sunday School to about 10 elementary and high school children and we have just started a pre-K-K Sunday School using the same curriculum series.
3 St. Matthew's has about 10 to 20 choir members, and have some people interested in bell choir. They have a choir director that Steve Brodd has talked to and believes they would work well together.
3 The plan is to have a joint worship committee and for Pastor Huber to share responsibility for preaching with Pastors Tom and Wendy preaching every third Sunday. St. Matthew’s might offer a Sing and Rejoice (contemporary styled) service as outreach, and FT would be welcome to participate. In addition they intend to hold regular events on their property to maintain a presence in their community.
3 St. Matthew's has very little need for space – they have few possessions left and they are mostly in storage. Their pastor does not anticipated needing an office, but understands we do not have one available but that he could talk to CFLS if they decide they need one.
3 St. Matthew's expects to pay for the additional costs FT will incur in the arrangement, though they are very limited financially. They currently have a bridge loan from Thrivent until their redevelopment payment arrives.
3 St. Matthew’s has asked to come to join us as guests, but we envision a partnership in worship, fellowship and programs. This is quite different from a merger, as it is important for both churches to keep their identities and own special brands. Our goal is that both churches leave the partnership stronger, with increased capacity to live out their mission in their own neighborhoods.
While this is what we know, there is much we do not know:
3 We have not determined how we will handle every detail of our lives together. We will work this out at the most appropriate level but will have a Partnership Committee consisting of the pastors and three representatives of each congregation. They will define how often they meet and how they will operate. Their goal is to see that communication happens and that issues are prevented, and if not, addressed and resolved. However, we know that the success or failure of this venture rests not with the Partnership Committee, but with the individual members of both congregations. Everyone has both a stake and a responsibility to be welcoming, and flexible, seek to work together and let their pastors; staff and lay leaders know when they are uncomfortable, or when they see problems that need to be addressed.
3 We cannot anticipate how it will feel to have a significantly larger worshipping congregation. We may find people sitting in the seats we prefer to occupy. We may have to work hard to both maintain relationships with our own members and get to know both St. Matthew’s members and our own new and prospective members. This is especially challenging for a congregation that does not necessarily have the same sort of mid-week encounters with members that I was used to in smaller communities in Minnesota. Here we need to make an intentional effort to connect, and that may be more difficult with more people. We all need to take responsibility for how we are feeling, and be willing to share our concerns.
3 We may find we need to use space differently. We will simply have to monitor that and adjust as needed.
3 We aren’t sure how long this arrangement is to continue. St. Matthew’s believes they can be in their building in three years, so that is what we have put in our proposed Memorandum of Understanding. However, given the economy and the fact they are just beginning to draw their plans, we may need to be flexible. Our MOU gives us the potential of ending the partnership early, or extending it.
There will surely be other anticipated and unanticipated challenges. However, this is an opportunity that I believe we must welcome. We will surely need to practice hospitality. But that is something at which FT excels. Just as communication is important with St. Matthews, it is important within or own FT family. With God's help we will find the balance between sharing worship and programs and maintaining our separate identities so that we will eventually separate, both stronger for our time together. I look forward to the discussion at the October 19 Congregational Assembly.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Celebrating Bobbi Sigworth and Deja New
The end of September marked the closing of Deja NEW Thrift Store, 7740 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda. Deja NEW has been managed by FT member Bobbi Sigworth who has brought her warm hospitality, creativity, humor, energy and unwavering commitment to Deja NEW. For Bobbi Deja NEW and the people it served was a ministry, a ministry of compassion, hospitality and connectedness.
Deja NEW started as a program of CFLS in 1994, providing training opportunities for program participants and income. Two years ago Deja NEW became a program of New Course Restaurant and Catering.
Deja New provided on the job training and helped the poor and homeless who graduated from the program achieve economic and social self-sufficiency. For the past 14 years FT and community members have relied on Deja NEW both as a place for great bargains, and as a place to contribute gently used clothing and household goods. I personally will miss Deja NEW for this reason!
Bobbi Sigworth has been FT's strong connection to Deja NEW, having served as manager for the past seven years. It is probably not a stretch to say she is the heart and soul of Deja NEW, decorating the walls of the house where Deja NEW is located, welcoming shoppers and contributors, coordinating volunteers and staff, and relentlessly spreading the story of Deja NEW.
First Trinity relies on many dedicated volunteers. Indeed, we continue to rely on Bobbi for her floral arrangement skills and dedication to beautifying our sanctuary. That being said, we cannot let the closing of Deja NEW and Bobbi's retirement from this venture go unnoticed. We should join together to celebrate both what Deja NEW and Bobbi have contributed to this community and how they have advanced the ministries of First Trinity. We thank God for Bobbi Sigworth and the work of Deja NEW.
Deja NEW started as a program of CFLS in 1994, providing training opportunities for program participants and income. Two years ago Deja NEW became a program of New Course Restaurant and Catering.
Deja New provided on the job training and helped the poor and homeless who graduated from the program achieve economic and social self-sufficiency. For the past 14 years FT and community members have relied on Deja NEW both as a place for great bargains, and as a place to contribute gently used clothing and household goods. I personally will miss Deja NEW for this reason!
Bobbi Sigworth has been FT's strong connection to Deja NEW, having served as manager for the past seven years. It is probably not a stretch to say she is the heart and soul of Deja NEW, decorating the walls of the house where Deja NEW is located, welcoming shoppers and contributors, coordinating volunteers and staff, and relentlessly spreading the story of Deja NEW.
First Trinity relies on many dedicated volunteers. Indeed, we continue to rely on Bobbi for her floral arrangement skills and dedication to beautifying our sanctuary. That being said, we cannot let the closing of Deja NEW and Bobbi's retirement from this venture go unnoticed. We should join together to celebrate both what Deja NEW and Bobbi have contributed to this community and how they have advanced the ministries of First Trinity. We thank God for Bobbi Sigworth and the work of Deja NEW.
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