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November 7th.
2007
12 YEAR OLDS
The age of children I enjoyed the most in my “previous life” as a
teacher was 12 year olds. In my experience, 12 year olds embody this
great combination of independence and wonder. They are able to do many
things on their own and yet still have this openness to a variety of
possibilities.
As you know this last Sunday we celebrated our 12th birthday as a
church. And yes, I think there are many consistencies between a 12 year
old and us as a faith community.
We are no longer a babe in the woods unknown by much of the “outside
world.” Part of our long-term vision is to be in partnership with the
larger community in ministry. Particularly with the inception of Team
ECOR –our monthly outreach focus – our neighbors have begun to recognize
us as a community that really cares.
With this said, there are still countless opportunities for us to engage
and impact the community we live in. Likewise, there are places we need
to continue to partner with where a greater number in our church can and
will participate.
On another front when we began this little adventure known as the
Episcopal Church of the Resurrection we had one Sunday school teacher
with just a couple of youngsters. Today we have ten teachers and, well
you have seen how long the line of hand-locked kids is that walk out
with me each and every Sunday.
Our growth as a community, especially recently, has been very
noticeable. This growth has begun to provide us with a “critical mass”
throughout our congregation to do what we could not when we were
smaller. Whether we are talking education, worship, outreach or
fellowship there are a lot of great things going on. Our challenge now
is for each and every one of us to share “the bounty” and invite others
to join us.
Finally, and very importantly, from the beginning we have worked hard at
being a ministry-centered community. In practical terms what this means
is we believe that God has gifted each of us and we are called to use
those gifts for ministry. By God’s grace this is at the core of who we
are as a faith community. All of the wonderful things that happen both
at 8th avenue and throughout the larger community are a result of folks
stepping up and sharing their gifts.
As we continue to grow and mature as a faith community please continue
to pray about how God may be calling you to use your gifts. Almost
everything we “do” is because somebody stepped up and said “what do you
think about” or “I am interested in” this or that.
Again, happy 12th birthday! It is a blessing to be “growing up” with
you!
Blessings,
The Rev. Brian N. Prior, Rector
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