Dear friends,
Sunday, September 23 was a very full day! In worship, we rededicated our newly restored historic organ. Cheryl Elkins, our organist, played glorious prelude, postlude and offertory, choosing music that could not have been played on our organ a few months ago! Our young people joined us in a re-dedication litany, and the congregation joined the choir in an inspiring setting of “For All the Saints.”
After the re-dedication, our young people, along with their Christian Exploration teachers and some folks from Wider Missions, put together sixty-four lunches, using sandwiches, fruit, and snacks donated by congregation members. After worship, a team of Edwards Church folks drove out to Worcester to share in lunch and worship with our friends from Worcester Fellowship, a UCC church whose members include many people who do not have housing.
A few hours later, more than fifty people gathered in Edwards Hall for an Open Spirit event (co-sponsored by Edwards Church) called Facing Fear and Claiming Courage: A Conversation about Gender Identity and Community. After a welcome by State Senate President Karen Spilka, we heard from four people, who shared their stories of fear and courage. Two talked about their own spiritual, physical and emotional transitions as they began to live the gender with which they identify. Two talked about their spiritual and emotional growth as they came to support a loved one in their transition. The stories prompted powerful conversation and challenged all of us to have the courage to talk about gender identity with friends and neighbors.
There happened to be a number of long-time Edwards Church friends in church that day, so I had some great conversations catching up with them at coffee hour. All of them commented on how vital this congregation is. As we talked, I realized how the events of that Sunday point to who we are and what we value. Here are a few examples from that day:
- We trust that when we work together, we can accomplish so much more than we imagine. More than sixty people donated to our organ restoration. Many people contributed food for Worcester Fellowship.
- We love to make a joyful noise, and we believe we are called to be part of bringing beauty to our world.
- We reach out to neighbors who may be in need, and we seek to do so in a way that builds relationships and values each person’s dignity.
- We seek out ways to worship, work and play together across generations.
- We are an Open and Affirming church, honoring and celebrating the diversity of sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
- We experience the presence of God in the hearing and telling of stories.
- We believe that, when we share those sacred stories, our own hearts are changed.
- We believe that, when our hearts are changed, we become part of a movement that can change our society and our world.
Truly, it was a wonderful Sunday. I look forward to many more wonderful Sundays, as we worship and share stories and reach out together.
Peace, Debbie