THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER

For the past four years, shortly after Easter, I would take a week to meet up with the Bethany Fellowship group. I’ve mentioned my experience within Bethany before. The Bethany Fellowship is a group dedicated to the support of new clergy. In order to join, one must be less than 5 years out of their ordination. It is a wonderful way in which the church is supporting and encouraging young clergy. The fellowship traditionally lasts four years and includes on-going virtual meetings with a small group, as well as two retreats a year with the larger Bethany circle (what Bethany calls the large group of all fellows).

This is my first Easter in 4 years in which I am not planning to be on Bethany retreat. The retreat was a time to meet up with friends and colleagues, be encouraged in ministry, learn new things, and spend time in deep reflection with the presence of God. During each Bethany retreat we would spend one full day in silence as a way to build in sabbath, rest, and a time for discernment with God’s Spirit.

For some of the Fellows, this time of silence was a challenge. In our ever-increasingly fast-paced world, silence is not often experienced. Many people find silence uncomfortable. And, at our Bethany retreats, the fear of our silent day seemed to be less about the silence and more about the possibility that somehow we would violate the silence (for ourselves or the other Fellows). However, the grace of the group clearly outweighed the rules that we felt were associated with the retreat.

For me, as a quiet introvert, I enjoyed the silence. In fact, even before joining Bethany, I found myself often practicing the ancient tradition of silence in the midst of God’s creation. As the old saying reminds us, if God had wanted us to talk more than listen, we would have two mouths and one ear. I imagine had I been born at a different time and place, I might find myself like the ancient solitary monks of the faith—alone in the wilderness with only my thoughts and the full experience of God.

It is an interesting paradox as I think about my life and career. As a minister and preacher, I spend an enormous amount time and energy with words and speaking. I am acutely aware of the importance and value of words. I write articles such as this one, I preach sermons, and lead in the various aspects of worship with words, I teach classes such as our weekly Bible Study, and lead meeting, I meet with people constantly as provide whatever words of comfort and pastoral wisdom I can muster.

On the other hand, I am deeply introverted and find myself filled up when the words stop. I ride my bicycle, not so much for the exercise and freedom, but because it is so quiet. It is a time for me to find the words that had been lost in the various parts of my life mentioned above. In her poem, “A House at Rest,” Jessica Powers has a beautiful image in the line that states, “Persuade the stairs to patience, and deny the passages their aimless to and fro.”

My time in the Bethany Fellowship was a time to recognize the importance of “persuading patience” and the need to find natural rhythms of work and rest—word and silence. It is not a new learning to our faith. From the very beginning of creation, God saw the beauty of work and rest, as well as the importance of words. At this time, I think we can each learn to find ways to slow down the busy lives we lead in a land of incessant chatter. I encourage you each to find ways to experience the beauty of silence. Martin Luther is quoted as saying “The fewer the words, the better the prayer.” May we each experience the divine in the silence around us.

Easter Peace,

Rev. David Clifford

Children’s Sunday School meets on Sunday mornings at 9:30 Again.  All are welcome—parents and children alike

The teacher is Dwayne Pfingston, who began attending FCCH when his own church in Evansville shut its doors during the COVID pandemic. Husband of Chandra, our great organist and choir director, he was here every Sunday throughout COVID even though most of our own members “were attending church online.”

As parishioners began returning to church after COVID, Dwayne joined the choir and, from his seat in the choir loft, noticed a growing number of young children also came. And there was no Sunday School; our Sunday School had closed because of lack of attendance several years ago.

 A life-long Sunday School teacher, Dwayne began approaching parents about forming a Sunday School. Just like that it happened. No announcements, no fanfare. Dwayne, a few children and a parent or two began having Sunday School. Slowly, the rest of us noticed or heard about what was happening. Slowly the number of children attending Sunday school grew. Now, Dwayne reports 10 to 12 children on his roster with two to four in attendance each Sunday. They pray, read the Bible and work together on a creative project. More recently, the group has created a model ship.

Dwayne notes that he pays little attention to bigger numbers. The most interesting discussions are when there is only one or two and he comes to know the person better. After a life-time of teaching Sunday School, he has interesting stories and all of them are about people who have passed through his classes and about times he was able to focus on individuals who shared their challenges and accomplishments.

Our thanks to Dwayne for getting children’s Sunday School started again. He invites everyone of all ages to join the class on Sunday mornings to see what is happening.

  Fill the Gaping Hole in Our Ministry Team         

The growing number of young people present on Sunday mornings brings an exciting change to the energy of the church. This, coupled with the organizational modification that allows the Board to focus on business challenges and the Ministry team to focus on the work of ministry, holds great promise for our future.

But one thing is missing—a leader for the youth ministry. Absent from Ministry team meetings is the wisdom of an individual committed to developing programs for those young people we have wanted in our midst for a long time. If you have an interest in programs for youth, we need you. Rev. David would love to talk with you. And, if you decide to join us, you will discover a support team of leaders of other programs eager to be there with you.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The FCC board meeting has been re-scheduled for Thursday April 27 @ 6:30 p.m.

The Ministry Team meeting for April has been cancelled. A new date will be determined in the near future.

Pastor’s Bible Study: Rev. David Clifford’s Bible Study is focused on the Gospel of Matthew. Our next class is Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. The Community of the Cross: please read Matthew 18

Easter Sermon Series: Closer and Closer: An Eight-Week sermon series focusing on the resurrection—deeper relationships with God and one another. This sermon series will highlight the resurrection narratives—people coming together to hear and respond to this amazing news. Like bedtime stories and old family lore, we share our stories in relationships close and safe so that we will be equipped to boldly share the story of Jesus in the world. Next week’s sermon is titled “Someone to Watch over you” based on John 10:1-10.

We will have a 2023 Graduate Recognition during worship in May. Please call or email the church office with your graduates’ information. Deadline for information is May 7.

Community News: The Henderson Human Rights Commission, will be holding a “Community Peace Vigil” in Downtown Central Park on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 5:00-6:00 p.m. The vigil is on behalf of Ms. Juliana Farmer, and the victims killed in the Louisville, KY mass shooting. There will be music, poems, candle lighting, and special words of comfort by family and friends. Services will be In the event of bad weather, services will be held at First Missionary Baptist Church, 20 S. Elm Street.  

Be sure to check out last Monday’s  “Monday Morning Preacher” podcast on FCC’s Facebook page