As a missioner working with multiple churches and congregations, keeping abreast of each congregation’s activities--whether social, outreach, pastoral or otherwise --is a key component of being effective in my position. Many of the churches are very small. Church members generally are related by blood, adoption or marriage. Further, many are life-long members of their churches, even if they may have strayed away from church attendance for a period of time. Their only reference point for what church is and does is the church that they currently attend. Thus, they have vivid shared memories of what activities are key to their church’s identity. These traditions pass along from generation to generation, with great expectation that a particular activity will occur exactly in accordance with that tradition.
As one might imagine, this makes my life interesting as a relatively new transplant to the region, serving eight churches. Further, although I greatly value tradition, it has been emotionally impractical for me to hold on to such things when it comes to church. Because of my circuitous career and educational path, I have been active in over a dozen Episcopal churches over my adult life. This number does not even include the dozens of churches that I have attended while on vacation, through my Education for Ministry experiences, or even with friends who attend other churches. Although I visit my childhood church occasionally with my parents, I have been gone too long for my early church memories to be my reference point for a meaningful spiritual and religious experience.
I simply have had to “let go” of the expectation that nothing will change. Although I always had a church “home” where I was active, I long ago abandoned the idea that, whether as a matter of loyalty or even inertia, I must attend activities only at my own church. My career and educational travels have exposed me to far too many ideas for me to not think in terms of multi-church activities and joining in the mission, outreach or social activities at other churches. I grew up United Methodist, attended a Presbyterian youth group, and served with ecumenical and interfaith groups in the cities and towns where I have lived previously. It also did not hurt that there was no shortage of preacher kids in my high school class, opening up opportunities for learning about other denominations and attending activities with other churches.
In essence, norms and tradition are in the minds and eyes of the beholder. And these are changing in beautiful Western Maryland . Norms are changing and becoming the new “tradition,” little by little. Further, the sprouting and growth of inter-church activity is becoming ever-more visible, even during my nearly two years in Western Maryland.
Admittedly, some seeds were planted decades ago. A long-time tradition is the annual women’s picnic hosted by one church, to which the women of the other Episcopal churches are invited. The people come, and they have fun!
New sprouts also are increasingly visible (and growing). A recent regional meeting resulted in a wonderful sharing of ideas for working with each other and with other area churches to be Church in the world. We learned of others’ gifts and how we might use them as members of the bodies of Church and Christ. We shared resources and solutions, on hearing of certain gaps in fulfilling their outreach objectives. Simultaneous problem-solving and community building. What a joy to behold! Additional seeds of community have sprouted and are gaining roots with the aid of parishioner-gardeners who are able to look beyond their own yards.
Theresa
