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coming home I have begun my 22nd year as minister of Mayflower church, and this year, as always, you welcomed us home from the summer break with open arms and loving hearts. The book tour was both exhilarating and exhausting. I was privileged to preach in some exalted pulpits (Berkeley, Claremont, New York City, and Boston), and it wasn’t just the book I was promoting, but a set of progressive religious ideas Mayflower lives by and the world desperately needs. In fact Mayflower is now the subject of fascination on both coasts! It was great to have Shawn and Cass along, who spent their days doing and seeing wonderful things (nothing more memorable than the Apple Store in NYC for Cass however – a Mecca for a self-proclaimed Mac Nerd). The reception we received was remarkable, and the hunger in this country for sensible, compassionate, tolerant, open-minded religious faith is deep and wide. The wheels of change have been set in motion, and if we can avoid any catastrophic mistakes in the next two years (like bombing Iran for example), a new day will come. We live by hope. Even so, the best part is always coming home. Home to your embrace, to your smiles, to your energy and enthusiasm, and to your commitment to being a “beloved community.” I have been particularly touched by your expressions of sympathy to me after the deaths of Kathleen Miller and Gary Cox. Because they were close friends, and my contemporaries, the effect on me was an unexpected sadness, and a reminder of my own mortality. My hope is that out of this sadness I can become a better pastor. In my own life I am trying to manage some extraordinary new demands upon my time, and preserve the most important obligation: my family. The number of speaking invitations or requests to participate in various good causes has now become almost unmanageable. The expectation of many people around the country now is that I will simple stay “on the road,” and lead the revolution! I apologize for those times that such demands have compromised my ability to be present to church members in need. When I think of the challenges that lie ahead for us, I am both excited, and anxious. Mayflower church is fast becoming a place where people who want to change the world feel welcome, and where everyone wants to have an event, press their good cause, and breathe the sweet air of religious freedom. This is exciting. Chris Moore is on his way to becoming a splendid minister, and Barbara Brus is headed off to Phillips seminary in January. A new UCC church in Norman is being explored, which will be the “child” of Mayflower church in a university community with few progressive options. This is the way we change the shape of tomorrow. This first edition of Voices, the all-church e-newsletter, is a great step forward. It will improve communication at Mayflower, and give both members and non-members the knowledge they need to negotiate this eclectic three-ring circus. Shauna Struby’s willingness to take on this project is great news in a church where the left hand at times doesn’t what the right hand is doing. She has the computer and graphic skills, and the creativity, to make this an indispensable tool for our church. Attendance is up, new members keep joining, and we not only continue to serve this community as a center for the work of peace and justice, but five Mayflower members are currently running for elected office! This may well be the highest percentage of any church in the nation, of any size. What am I anxious about? Finances. A third of our “active” members (254) do not fill out and return a pledge card, making it impossible for the trustees to anticipate income and construct a meaningful budget. We pride ourselves on not talking about money all the time, and always asking you for more — but that’s not our problem at Mayflower. Our problem is that for some people, “liberal” has been confused with an ethos where commitment is as optional as orthodox theology. Unfortunately, many people come to church, enjoy worship, participate in activities —even send their kids to Sunday school, but make no financial contribution to our day-to-day operating expenses. We are running another deficit (we have spent approximately $83,000 more in the last five years than we have received). We still have a quarter million dollar mortgage on the new Christian Education wing, and numerous special projects which, though all worthwhile, can have the unintended effect of reducing the amount available to operate the church. I continue to believe (despite the failure of all previous appeals) that this is the kind of congregation that simply needs to be informed of the need, and can recognize that failure to support any institution from which ones receives benefits is unacceptable. Church membership is not free, so forgive me once more for saying so. As we begin work on next year’s budget, PLEASE reconsider pledging, if you have not done so in the past. All active members of the church are expected to pledge. A second, less pressing concern is that as we work on various projects for which we have a special interest or passion, we must not forget the whole body of the church. Our common worship experience and our adult Christian education opportunities keep us in contact with one another. My hope is that everyone will either, worship (8:45 service) and then study, or study and then worship (10:45) service. We are after all a church which believes head and heart are equal partners in faith. It’s good to be home, and it’s a remarkable privilege to be the pastor of this church. I look forward to sharing what’s on my mind, and in my heart, in this new format every month. Please also share your thoughts and concerns with me. Grace and Peace, Robin Meyers |
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