2005 - 2006 Annual Reports

REPORT OF THE SENIOR PASTOR

In the midst of cards and letters that I received as a result of the wonderful anniversary celebration you planned in my honor in November, I received one from a former colleague who commented on how blessed I am to serve a congregation that cares and notices such milestones. And how right she was! I do indeed count myself as very blessed by you, and by the God who calls us to journey together. The celebration in November was one of the latest and most visible signs of your faithful spirits and generous hearts. Whether you're cooking omelets and pouring coffee at breakfast, taking meals to people in their homes or knitting shawls, arranging flowers and mulch around the building or building stage sets for The Showdown at Dry Gulch, rehearsing a new piece of music or putting together a lesson plan, spending long hours in board and committee meetings or arranging books on the library shelves, you give of yourselves generously and graciously. In all of that this church is strengthened, people of all ages are served, and God is praised. And I am grateful.

There are many ways in which this has been a year of self-definition for us as a congregation. Who are we and how do we want to be known? It has been very exciting to watch the Board of Christian Outreach and Mission lead us into more active mission participation. Over the years, you've become increasingly generous with mission dollars and responsive to times and places of disaster, but this year the board has helped us do more than disburse money. We spent a weekend learning from and coming to know Lilian Mutsumbeyi, the pastor's wife of Dangamvura UCCZ, our partner church in Zimbabwe. We're continuing our rotation with the Sonshine Soup Kitchen; we've sent a group to Grace House to help prepare a building for women being released from prison; we're exploring ways to help with recovery from flooding in Alstead; and a group of adults are preparing to help with Hurricane Katrina clean up in New Orleans. I think these programs and activities help to define us as a mission church, people who give of themselves as well as their resources to those outside our walls and programs.

Youth Ministry has continued to blossom and develop, and as middle and senior high youth travel to New York City and Washington DC, transform the Youth Room, squeeze into the AB classroom, prowl the building during an overnight, explore questions of faith and decision making and values, we define ourselves as a safe place for questions and exploration and welcome and learning.

The Music Ministry has outdone themselves this year with the musical, a growing senior choir that continues to fit in the loft while they pulse with the energy of anthems and service music, the number and quality of children's voices that sing on a regular basis, the handchime and brass choirs that continue to blossom and shine, and the sacred dancers who use their bodies to help us worship and praise God. I was recently talking with a reporter about the youth auction, who asked how or whether youth would be a part of our Easter celebration. By the time I had referenced breakfast crews, the Sunrise Service, the brass, handchimes and special choirs, he drew a breath, and said your church offers all of that? I heard in that question the glad definition that this is a house of music and worship, of praise and creativity, of collaboration and inter-generational connection.

Another aspect of our life that I would refer to as self-definition is in relation to the blessing ceremony discussion. First of all, I was deeply moved by our willingness and ability to engage one another in a difficult conversation, to find ways to give voice to our beliefs and feelings, hopes and hurts. That did not come easy for us, but it came and I rejoice in that. The quality of our dialogue in the weeks leading up to and at the October meeting was inspiring. Secondly, I believe that the decision that this congregation made at the meeting in October helped to define who we are as a church, what the shape and color of our welcome is. We have often seen ourselves as a community church that on some level has wanted to be all things for all people. In the decision to extend to same-gendered couples the blessing of the church on their covenant with one another, we defined ourselves a little more precisely. I believe that definition can help us focus our life and work together. It hasn't come without a price, as there have been some among us who have needed to step away because of that definition, and their struggle and absence pains me deeply. And yet, I also celebrate those who continue to walk with us, even in the midst of disagreement and differences. I think that helps to define us as a people who can live into the fullness of covenant as a place of dialogue and dissonance, not just easy congeniality.

One of the aspects of our self-definition that I'm sad to say hasn't changed this year has been in relation to finances. We continue to wrestle and struggle with money as we have for far longer than my memory or experience. And much of what I have said in the past remains true: giving continues to increase, but not in proportion to expenses. The amount of the average pledge this year has increased, but the overall number of pledges to date has decreased. I know that some of that is in relation to the blessing ceremony decision, but it's not clear that that represents a large number of pledges. Others have held back because of life circumstances, and that is totally understandable. And beyond that we struggle to understand what the numbers are telling us. While a few continue to ask whether we are overspending, many of us continue to believe that we are undergiving. There appears to be widespread support and enthusiasm for the programs the church is offering, but we have not yet stepped forward to adequately fund those programs. Council has worked long and hard to develop a budget that is responsible and balanced, while trying not to undermine those programs which are our strength and drawing card. Conversation around this at Annual Meeting will be crucial, as well as shared efforts to address it in the coming year.

As steps to help us address those issues, I believe we need to increase the number of pledge units. Pledges help the church know what dollars we can count on in the coming year, and lead to responsible budgeting. I believe that each of us needs to look again at what we are giving and how that corresponds what we are spending in other parts of our lives, as well as to the cost of running the church. Are each of us we doing our fair share? What percentage of our income do we give to support the ministry of First Parish? By contrast, how much do we spend on entertainment or other lifestyle choices? What do our choices reflect about the priority we place on our church and our faith and God's work in our midst?

Who are we and how do we want to be known? I believe First Parish Congregational Church, United Church of Christ is a congregation of God's people, of a rich heritage, of faith and fun, prayer and learning, deep-hearted compassion and open-handed sharing. I believe we are growing into our mission statement and deepening the quality and vitality of our faith journey. I experience God's leading presence in our life together, and I look forward to the ways in which God will continue to lead, guide and bless us in the years to come. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you.

                                                                        Alice M.C. Ling