March 14, 9:30 AM Holy Conversations
Ruth & Charles Barton, Janet Fink, Jack Lohr, Herb Reinke, Lois Vetare
1. What does “church” mean to you?
People say it’s a community of faith, but the important part of it is to help each of us as individuals, as well as the community, to move on with that faith. Each of us brings concerns, approaches, needs and contributions to this community.
I call the church home--and all that home means. It’s the extended family. In times of trouble and happiness. I've gone other places, but this is home. I feel very strong about it for 40+ years.
Church is that place where we’re most apt to find the people we don’t want to live with. It’s people. There will always be those you don’t want to be around. To grow in the ability to live together.
Most of my friends are Catholic, but I’ve always felt that if really need to talk, I could call almost anyone and go out for a cup of coffee. They would be there.
Purpose is simple: to preach and teach Jesus Christ and to help and heal in his name.
It’s to be there when you’re needed. The open door means that you have access to having your needs met whenever you need it.
A place for spiritual growth--where an individual can feel comfortable to pray and explore relationship to God, and that has a pastor who preaches a provocative, even difficult, message that makes us think.
2. What brought you to this church? Why do you stay?
It was hard when I came. I didn’t feel welcome. No one spoke to me. It took five weeks before anyone said hello. It was painful.
Church is supposed to be a place where newcomers are welcomed.
We came because of the people I knew here. Because of Molly’s preaching. Also because this is a More Light church.
When I moved to Mount Kisco I wanted to try several churches. What brought me here was Lee Fairchild’s person and preaching. I felt from his sermons that he believed if he could bring you to God, you’d do the right thing. Not telling you what to do.
When my wife and I married, (a Baptist and Catholic) we decided to come to common ground in either Methodist or Presbyterian. When I heard Lee Fairchild, I felt that his sermons were talking directly to me.. Been here ever since. I’ve found that when I’m not here, it’s not the same. I’m parched, not fulfilled until I get back here. This is where I can study and feel wrapped in God’s arms and learn from Jesus.
What keeps me here is the people. It’s ministry, which I need to learn more about, even after 4 years. We don’t know all the story of how the church is engaged in ministry. Worship is fulfilling. If I weren’t being fed, we wouldn’t still be here. I think the other thing is that our presence didn’t just happen there’s a divine intervention.
When we come back from summer, it’s coming home.
Our physical location may be problem: we’re not of this place. Makes it harder to connect with community.
I think the music here is very important. The organist and the things he does are unbelievable.
I like the liberalness and openness. My husband is Jewish and is comfortable coming here--even ringing in the bell choir. He’s supportive of our bringing the children here. This church allows us to expose them to different ideologies and let them decide.
My husband is Catholic, comes for special things.
3. What are important qualities of this church?
There’s a real sense of caring that gets demonstrated (as people go through surgeries, or have loved ones dying). The caring is very genuine.
There’s a sense of enthusiasm to be engaged in caring ministry, eg. Deacons. The role of deacon has changed in positive directions.
There are many outsiders who don’t know what the insiders know.
Not afraid to take a stand. Not just More Light issue, but community issues, esp., food pantry, prison ministry. Not burying head in sand.
Child protection programs.
Growing in transparency. Overcoming past shortcomings. Educating the members, so they become more involved, so that all are learning the value of what’s happening. That’s really bringing a commitment of families to enjoy the church and succeed and understand what’s going on.
Not just a spiritual place, but where we have strength to reach out to the community at large.
There are some who say it’s not enough, but it’s tremendously different and positive.
4. What would you like to find if you were suddenly transported 5 years into the future?
I remember when we did this 4-5 years ago. People said: parking lot filled. Increasing the congregation. That’s important, but not the most important. Numbers are not necessarily the answer.
I’d like to see what we have now in sense of being an intergenerational church. Also a different Sunday morning format. Separate church school and adult ed, then inclusive worship at another time. We miss the boat when children are not exposed to the Lord’s Supper.
I would hope it would be a blended worship-not only the great hymns, but some contemporary music as well.
The older generation needs old standards too.
Being part of old guard, I worried about the extensions becoming a white elephant. I want a balanced budget.
Sunday school program can do more with more money.
Community service.
On top of that, enhanced stewardship commitment.
What matters is not balanced budget but stewardship. Need to focus on effective stewardship commitment and planned giving.
Church doesn’t get mentioned in wills because we don’t ask for it.
I know that we find it difficult as retirees supporting two different churches. We’d love to give more, but it’s not possible.
Lots of kids.
Having the building used as community center used extensively by AA.
7-day-a-week church where other faiths, and traditions are welcome, so that facility is being used all the time.
At Presbytery I heard description of church – things being used, and minister said, “That’s the cost of business.”
The sign of what God wants: that we be used.
5. Gifts needed in the next pastor?
We shouldn’t connect having a woman as pastor with short-term pastorate. And not be afraid of a minister named Jack.
A pastor engaged with the community.
Passionate about outreach, visiting hospitals, fire depts., with community service, maybe schools, other nonprofits.
A Christian leader who is present in community. It helps the church grow. It’s what Jesus models.
Someone involved in Northern Westchester Interfaith Clergy.
Involved with presbytery.
A pastor who is comfortable ministering with people who are dying and ill.
A pastor, not a CEO.
Someone who can be a partner in ministry with the membership.
I hope the PNC will look at the continuing education the candidate has done and consider what that says.
Minister who comes to meetings, to see what’s going on in the life of the church.
A minster who’s in a good mood.
Someone who’s accessible.
I would hope the PNC and session are wiling to stretch in terms of financial package they offer. Shortchanging the package could have a major impact on the quality of candidates.
If this church is looking for the kind of pastor we’re looking for, we’ll have to pay them.
--Jack Lohr, Interim Pastor
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