Interim Ministry

Last week I received my certificate for completing my Transitional Ministry course of study provided by the Interim Ministry Training.  I had begun the training process about a year ago and getting it completed and certificated was satisfying.  Made good my advocacy for lifelong learning.  The training had three components:  a class on the work of the leader; a class on the work of the congregation; and a fieldwork piece with conference call check-ins.

 I took the first class at an Episcopal Center in Echo Park in Los Angeles, California.  Got to see some family and friends on the trip.  That was in April 2013.

 In the small world department the instructor for the class, Rev. Bill Peterson, grew up in Moline, Illinois.  And his late mother had been a member of First Congregational Church United Church of Christ in Moline, where I was then serving as the Interim Pastor!  And I am acquainted with his sister.  Very funny.

 The second class on the work of the congregation took place in Buffalo, New York.  Above is the group shot taken on the last day.  The class was in November 2013.

The fieldwork took place in early 2014.  There were five of our Buffalo group in the cohort and each of us did a project and made presentations about it in the conference call context.

One of the satisfying elements of the instruction was to meet others who were similarly taking the classes.  Bill's connection is just the most dramatic example of the ways we found ourselves connected through different affiliations.  US seminary trained clergy have lots of connections and culture that we share across denominations.  It was nice to brush up on church administration stuff - the basic subject of the classes.  And it was good to have the issues of interim ministry lifted up in an intentional way.

Good experience.  Now, to find the next interim ministry setting for me.

Summer Vacation

Nancy and I enjoyed traveling in July to Southern California to see family and friends.  Here we are in a restaurant in Long Beach, along with our daughters and with Nancy's parents.  We were also able to visit with my sister, Gloria in Huntington Beach, and also Nancy's brother Jim and his wife Mary, who also live in Huntington Beach.  It was wonderful to reconnect!

Organ Benefit Concert

Yesterday, Sunday, October 14, 2012, was a busy one at First Congregational UCC.

The worship service was the kick-off for the Stewardship effort of the church in preparation for next year.  The sermon was "Give God the Best" and there was an additional stewardship speaker from the congregation, Katie Harle.

There was a Mission Fair that ran all day.  There were several tables selling gifts and fair trade items from around the world.  Our Illinois Maya Missions sponsored a table, selling Mayan craft items.

At 3:00 pm there was a concert to benefit a fund to improve and repair the pipe organ of the church.  The Quad City Brass, Chancel Choir, Bell Choir and a sporano soloist were featured.  A highlight was a solo by organist Dalaie Choi, the church organist.

The concert was followed by a Chili supper to benefit Christian Care.  The chili was good.

Busy as this sounds, each activity seemed to compliment the others.

Blessing of the Animals

 Here are a couple of photos from the Blessing of the Animals service held at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Moline, Illinois, last Saturday, October 6, 2012.  This date was chosen because it is near St Francis Day, which is October 4.  We think we had 14 dogs and three cats along with the two legged creatures at worship.  It was brisk outside, but the grass and trees provided good space for the animals!

NAMI Walk

First Congregational United Church of Christ, Moline, fielded a team of for the walk sponsored by the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill at Centennial Park in Davenport on Saturday, October 6, 2012.  Here is a photo of most of the team.  We ended up with a few more people and one more dog!

The team was organized by Sara McLees, parish nurse at the church.

The walk is a way to raise both funds and awareness for mental illness.  The day was both bright and brisk.

Prayer Vigil for Jobs Equity

I attended a religious prayer service up at First Christian Church last evening, sponsored by Quad Cities Interfaith, to promote jobs equity on the rail project coming to the Quad Cities.  Read Linda Cook's article about this event in the Quad City Times.

http://qctimes.com/news/local/religious-groups-back-job-equality-for-rail-project/article_7f6f7e40-05fa-11e2-9d57-0019bb2963f4.html

Second Sunday First Church

Yesterday was my second Sunday at First Congregational United Church of Christ in Moline, Illinois. It was a good day, the highlight being the baptism of a little fellow named Ryan in the morning service. I am still unpacking books in my office. There was a funeral last week at the church and another today at a local funeral chapel. Busy. At lots of names and meeting folks. It surprises me a little how many people we have some sort of connection with already - know a family member, kids went to school together, neighbor of members at Church of Peace. It is a new adventure.