In November of 2004, as we were between ministers, and celebrating our 225th Anniversary, a lay-led "task-force" arranged Loyalty Sunday, which proved to be one of the most powerful services our church has ever had. Fourteen members of the Congregation were asked to present their personal experiences at First Parish Church regarding one of 14 subjects; Accessibility, Connections, Questions, Justice, Diversity, Forgiveness, Sunday School, Community, Music, Continuity, Northbrook Village, Family, Ministry, Covenant. Below is some of what these ordinary people presented, through both laughter and tears. We hope through these words, you come to know us a little better, and are inspired to visit our welcoming community.
One of the many things I like about First Parish Church, is that it connects me to the community. When we moved to Berlin, we came to this church and quickly felt plugged into the town. Also, because of this church's long history, I feel connected not only to those who are here today, but those who filled this place for generations. Crawling around in the basement or climbing up into the rafters of this building, it is like stepping back in time. The old wood, that old wood smell, with boards 3 feet wide (a rarity in these days), it makes me feel connected to the past. It reminds me that people have given of themselves to keep this place structurally and spiritually alive for 225 years.
I joined FPC a few months after moving to Berlin. Frankly, I joined to sing in the choir and to meet people in the community. The first committee that I was invited to join was the ad hoc committee for divestiture in South Africa. For those here who don't know, divestiture was a movement in the 80's that encouraged people of conscience to "vote with their pocketbooks" - dropping their investments or patronage of companies that did business with the apartheid regime in S.A. And it worked! Our trustees sold the stock we held in such companies, and many of our members stopped buying these companies' products - and we let them know WHY! South Africa did, in fact, nonviolently change to a democracy with equal rights for all, and we were part of an international climate of censure that led to this change. Before this experience, I saw myself as a leaf on the tree of life - spirituality came to me from God up through the roots, trunk, and branches, but didn't go anywhere after it got to me. My experience with S.A. through FPC showed me that I'm not with no obligations, like the leaf on the tree, but rather more like a strand of thread in a tapestry being woven by me and everyone else. Each decision we make changes the pattern, and we do have some control in how beautiful we can make it. I have been here almost 20 ears now, and every scripture reading I have heard has reinforced the idea that economic and social justice is central to being a good Christian, central to serving the Lord. Whether it's "love your neighbor as yourself" or "whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me" ... I am grateful to FPC for giving me this sense of empowerment, for raising my consciousness to realize that each decision I make has the potential to affect people all over the world.
I like First Parish because there is room here for a range of practices and beliefs. We are (usually) pretty tolerant of personal differences in affiliation and theology. If fact, I think the federated nature of this church encourages each of us to develop our own unique spirituality within the broad context of First Parish. I was born after the Federation occurred. I am impressed by the vision of the folk who had the bold inspiration to take that step. They have trusted us with a legacy of tolerance.
I picked quite a year to volunteer as Senior Deacon. In a position at First Parish that has a fairly steep learning curve at the best of times, this has been an interesting year.
Through my stumblings, I think I've managed to annoy almost every here (well, maybe not my Mom) at one point of time or another. But even at my worst moment, my failings were forgiven, and the supportive nature of this church was there for me. To forgive those who have transgressed is a difficult thing. It is something I personally find very difficult at times. But that's what makes it, and US so special.
Why am I thankful for Sunday School? Well, the easy answer is that by being Co-RE Director, I now get paid to care about Sunday School. That, of course, is not the reason. The fact is, I would never be RE Director if I didn't care so much about the Sunday School program. I don't know the statistics, but I can imagine that you'd be much harder pressed to get someone involved with a church as an adult, if they never had a taste of it as a child. Of course, if that taste as a child were bitter, that person often would never come back again to any organized religion.
It is so important to me, that my children experience Christmas through the eyes of the church - the delivery of meals to those less fortunate; the singing of Christmas Carols to shut-ins; the celebration of the birth of baby Jesus here at our altar - NOT just the pictures on the knee of Santa at the Mall.
It is so important to me that my children experience Easter through the eyes of the church - the children singing during the service; the beautiful, spiritual connection present at the Sunrise Service; the story of how Jesus rose, told right here at our altar - NOT just the pictures on the knee of the Easter Bunny at the Mall. That is what is important to me, and hopefully, some day, that is what will be important to my children.
Every weekend this summer, my children asked if we were going to church. And yes, I do realize that my son's greatest motivation is the snack during coffee hour. But that's OK. My children love church, they love Sunday School, and they love their teachers.
This is a time, where I suspect many of us would do well to reflect on First Parish's place in the greater community outside of these walls. I am referring to the music programs, ham & bean suppers, yoga classes, contra dances, food coops, Senior Citizens, Guilds, pot lucks, Friendship Village Fair, model airplane clubs and many other activities.
Just as we are a welcoming house of worship, we know the importance of supporting community and activities that make up a community's core.
Some of us here helped start this attitude and approach, some of us have come along to benefit and contribute to it's continuation.
What better time to reflect on what our support really does. Supporting First Parish goes far beyond taking care of property and paying operational bills.
Supporting First Parish means the continuation and extension of our place in helping and facilitating the many activities and groups that make Berlin such a quality place to live. It is our chance / responsibility to gift this to future generations.
I had 4 grandparents who were all members here. One grandmother was a member of probably all the womens group that were part of this church. She put everything into these groups. They meant so much to her. I've been told at one time there was a bush planted in front of the Children's Church in my Grandmother's name. My other Grandmother was very active in church worship as well as womens groups. I remember her house every year filling up as the Fair approached. She was always so proud of the articles she collected for the gift table. She was also a member of the choir, something I can say I am very lucky to have shared with her.
My Grandfathers were both part of all the mens activities. One waited every year for Fair time, when he and other men sat up all night the night before the Fair, usually playing cards down stairs in the children's church. They were the overnight security guards. He was so serious about this job, and did it every year with so much pride. My favorite memory about my other grandfather is when the mens club had an outdoor market at the Fair and my grandfather more or less ran it for the Fair. Every year he would ask a few young boys to help - usually when they were old enough to behave themselves. Once they passed the test of counting change back, he would give them their own Coldwell's nail apron for making change. I'll never forget the year he asked me!
This church has helped my family say good-bye to all my Grandparents and many other family members, including my mother. It amazes me the gathering of people this church has to support a family when they are faced with this challenge.
My parents were married here, as well as most of their siblings. Although not regular church attendees, there were always involved in groups and always made sure that Sunday School was an important part of our childhood. They never missed a Thanksgiving Sunday, Christmas or Easter service. I was baptized here, as well as my brother and sister, and we attended Sunday School well into our teens. I can remember the warm and inviting feeling that I felt every Sunday. During my Sunday School years, it felt like we formed a very special, caring family that we still have today.
When you start out at 5 years old, waiting every week for choir rehearsal, you know that it's something special. We would walk from school as a group to meet the choir director at the front door of this church. She greeted us like we were all stars every week. She made our time so enjoyable and gave us confidence and faith that we could sing and sing proud for God to hear, and everyone in the church to enjoy. This wonderful feeling continued into adulthood - again proving to me where I belonged. We are a very lucky to still have that feeling in the choir today.
As I have become a more active part of FPC, I realize how much people care, and how much they do for others, sometimes in celebration, sometimes in support, but always with heart!
During the 70's the Federal Government was offering to fund a Federal Housing Program for the elderly. Our then minister, Howard Andrews, saw a great need for this program in Berlin, and brought it to the attention of our Church Council. Thus our church voted seed money that the FDA required and the development of Northbrook Village was begun. Ernest Perdue chaired the project - a monumental task, right to the completion of the Village. We can take pride that the membership of this church was willing to see beyond our church needs and voted to support a project for the whole community of Berlin.
The members of this church worked together to develop a covenant which was adopted in 1992. I give credit to those who created it. It is a beautiful piece of work.
It is so important to this church that we include it into our worship service every week. Some of us recite it from memory, and some of us read it from the bulletin. Every time I read it, it gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
Hear these words. These are the things we come to church to find:
God - supportive - fellowship - nurturing - spiritual development - truth - respect - compassion - tradition.
What powerful words! What a glorious way to live! This should be a goal for each and every one of us.
