THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
Rev. David Clifford
In Season 2 of the hit TV show, The Big Bang Theory, we see one of the main characters, Sheldon, attempting to make friends with his rival, Kripke. Kripke has access to a computer that Sheldon is needing to use. In this particular episode Sheldon learns to make friends by reading a children’s book, “Stu the Cockatoo is New at the Zoo.” Based on his understanding of the book, Sheldon creates a “Friendship Algorithm” that will aid him in creating a friendship with Kripke. Our world seems to run on algorithms. Almost everything we do online is connected to some form of algorithm. It seems only appropriate that someone as intellectually smart as Sheldon would turn to an algorithm to help him in a social situation—something he often struggles with.
But as many of us know, and even as Sheldon learns, not everything in life fits into a nice algorithm. Sometimes life has a way of throwing us curveballs. And, the past few years have been the most fast-breaking curve balls I think we have faced collectively. At one point in the episode, Sheldon is on the phone with Kripke, but gets stuck in a loop within his “Friendship Algorithm.” Howard, another main character comes to the rescue by adding a loop counter and a direct line to the “Least Objectionable Activity.” I wonder how Howard, or any of the group of smart characters, might adjust the algorithm to make up for COVID?
It occurs to me that in my own time as the Senior Minister of our congregation there has been a struggle to connect between minister and congregation. We are doing our absolute best to work through the number of issues within our own friendship algorithm, but never-the-less it is a struggle. I recognize this reality and experience it as well. I even find myself wondering if the struggle to connect between pastor and congregation might be a microcosm to so many church members struggling to connect to the congregation right now—or even struggling to connect to God?
One of the things I was hoping to accomplish as we put together the Newsletter Editorial Committee last year was to use the church newsletter as a means of staying connected with one another through the extended COVID pandemic. I have to say, thanks to the committee members hard work, I believe we were successful at this very goal. I also find myself wondering if there is a way for me to use the newsletter to connect more with the congregation as your minister and pastor?
One of the things I would like to do is use my own space within the newsletter to connect more with you, the church. There seemed to be a lot of people who enjoyed learning about my thoughts around prayer that I shared in the last publication of our newsletter. I would be more than happy to share more personal things within this space, if folks are interested. Please reach out to me or the church (or even the editorial committee) if you have specific questions or things you’d like to know about your pastor. There may not be a specific algorithm we can use, but I believe by continuing the relationship and showing interest in the lives of one another, we can strengthen a deep and important friendship.
Your Friend in Peace,
Rev. David Clifford
SANDRA DEITZ: BOARD VICE CHAIRPERSON
By Barbara Kammerlohr
(Editor’s note: In this edition of the Spirit, we call the congregation’s attention to Sandra Deitz, vice chairperson of the Board. It is a small part of a larger campaign to bring more transparency to the Church’s decision-making process. In the last edition, we focused on the Chairman of the Board. Future editions will highlight other board members.)
Sandra Deitz is not new to the work of the board. She was vice-chair during two of the past three years and in years gone by, served in various other capacities including board chair. By profession, she is an attorney with a successful law practice in downtown Henderson.
Although a long-time member of First Christian Church Henderson (FCCH), Sandra was not always a Disciple of Christ. She grew up in a small Southern Baptist Church in Henderson and her family lived within walking distance of the church. They attended services, Sunday School and other activities regularly, but her view of the church and its relationship to its members had changed when she returned to her hometown after law school.
“People in the church were saying the same thing they always had”, she said, “but I was hearing it differently”. Some of the teachings no longer made sense.
Thus began the search for a more compatible church home. After exploring several options, FCCH seemed closest her own beliefs as an adult. This was in the late 1980s and she has attended, served and worshipped here since.
As she spoke of the love of God that became an integral part of her being during childhood, Sandra also shared another aspect of herself that has not changed. She has always lived in a place that permits her to walk to church. She grew up walking to church. Today, she lives in one of the historical houses in the neighborhood where FCCH is located. Church goers arriving for Sunday services frequently see her walking down Chestnut Street and through the parking lot in the back of the church.
Sandra has only one goal for her work on the board this year: to help Nic Womack accomplish his goals for the church. “My hope is that my institutional knowledge coupled with his enthusiasm and energy will result in a good year for the board. I want this board to be so successful that it will lead others to want to step forward and serve with dedication and enthusiasm.
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ANNOUNCEMENT
- Elders at the Table: February: Barb Chaney & Bill Aldridge
- Lay Leaders: Feb. 13 Abby Myers, Feb. 20 Meredith Gold
- In of February, the CWF will be collecting Shampoo along with diapers for Christian Community Outreach. You can drop your items off in the narthex anytime in February.
- Week of Compassion Special Offering for 2022: Collections dates are February 20th and 27th.
- The third Thursday of each month, (February 17) the CWF is schedule to be at Christian Community Outreach assisting clients from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
