A Word from Rev. Erin Gilmore
Transitional Conference Minister of the Rocky Mountain Conference UCC
There have been so many occasions over the last several weeks that have made plain the importance of the church in this moment in which we live.
Two Sundays ago, I had the joy of worshipping with Henderson Community Church for the Installation of Rev. Dr. Charlene Johnson as their pastor and teacher. I learned that the food pantry located at the church served over 125,000 meals last year. I saw the garden boxes they built on their property from an In the Mud Grant that they are going to use to grow food for the food pantry. I saw the bee hives they’ve put on their property to help pollinate the produce. Not long into her time at Henderson, Rev. Charlene realized that their ministry isn’t on Sundays, but on Saturdays when families are picking up their food. They are now providing childcare on Saturdays to help out with the families when they show up at the church. I felt a lightness of spirit that left me energized by the Spirit at work among them.
The next Saturday, I witnessed a full sanctuary buzzing with children and bubbles and streamers, as friends, family and colleagues gathered together to ordain Brooklyn McBride and Tammi VanDrunen to the Christian Ministry. It is always a special day to witness someone’s yes to God’s call, but there was something particularly powerful about the way these two women not only chose to be ordained together but also how they so beautifully incorporated children and youth into the service. It was so evident that through their yes, children and youth were finding a place of belonging and learning what it means to be part of a community called to love as Jesus loved.
Just yesterday, I gathered with six retired clergy for conversation and coffee, and I left with more hope and aspiration about how we can continue to engage the gifts and talents of people across this conference in building and strengthening our connections and relationships with one another.
Here is what I want to name: It is no small thing to have people who gather together to ask themselves, “Where is there need?” and how are we being called to contribute to the flourishing of people and communities. It is no small thing to be a community that seeks to be life-affirming rather than life-destroying. In these days of fracture and outright cruelty, choosing to be a people committed to service and contributing to the wellbeing of those beyond ourselves is an act of courage and generosity.
I recently re-listened to this interview with Meg Wheatley. It is one of my regular go-to’s these days, and near the end of the interview she says,
Dead ends, unsolvable problems, desperate situations: When we’re about to give up, a spark lights in a person or group, and a way opens. This is miraculous and predictable. We are naturally creative, especially in the most difficult circumstances.[1]
In just a little over a month, we will be gathering in Provo, UT for our Annual Celebration. This will be an opportunity to share stories of courage and creativity as we seek to follow Jesus and be the Body of Christ, an oasis of life-affirming practice, that stands counter to the powers of fear and isolation that dominate our human experience these days. It will be good to be together and remind one another that we are not in this alone, that our connection matters, and that the Spirit is working through us to create a more just world wherever we are planted.
[1] From Tracking Yes: A Guide to Everyday Magic – with Liz Wiltzen, PCC: “Restoring Sanity: Practices to Awaken Generosity, Creativity and Kindness” with Margaret Wheatley, Apr 5, 2024
