The Season after Epiphany 2023
These words were written for our most recent Annual Report... perhaps they might help guide our way as this season of light unfolds...
Dear Friends,
I believe this is my 20th annual report to Second Christian Church! I can hardly believe it has been that long... I am still overwhelmed with gratitude by the wonderful October celebration of our shared two-decade ministry here in Kittery. Thank you so very much! We have accomplished so much together over those years. As the landscape has changed in our community, in our nation, and in our world, and as our church has changed, we have adapted our ministries to meet every challenge.
Nothing in our lifetimes has invited change quite so forcefully and insistently as has Covid-19. But as we continue to make our way through/out of the Covid Pandemic, our church discerns new ways to adapt and serve our community and the world. Our online presence - our website, social media, and streaming of worship services - has made our message of God's extravagant welcome available to people who may never walk through the doors of our church. While currently on a bit of a hiatus, our Mission Alignment Team is working to help us answer the question "Why are we here?" so we can be more intentional about matching our resources with the specific needs of the community we serve.
This past September - I know, technically not a part of this annual reporting period - I enjoyed the great gift of another month's Sabbatical. In addition to working to wrap up a few projects around Parson's Gulch, Linda and I were given the crazy idea of walking Scotland's West Highland Way. This had been 3 years in the making - originally planned for September 2020, it was postponed twice due to Covid. While there were days when we were quite certain we weren't going to manage the whole 96-mile, eight-day trek, we persisted. We got up every day, stretched aching muscles, laced 'em up, put one foot in front of the other, and walked every step of every mile of The Way! A great metaphor for every day of every life.
There is no denying that Covid took a lasting bite out of our life together. Two years+ of not gathering regularly for meetings and worship meant both that we needed to figure out how to do those things - on the fly! But it also means that on the other side of that (God willing) we are not the same community we were before and so must continue to do the work of reinventing ourselves. Our faith is one rooted in the idea of resurrection, that death does not have the last word. That the final word is Life! While our numbers are down, both in giving and attendance, there is a holy energy here at Second Christian and the way forward looks bright!
I continue feeling deep gratitude for all who serve our church, who give countless hours doing the behind-the-scenes work of Welcoming and Learning and equipping us to Go Out into the world. Our worship is strengthened by Mike Effenberger's music ministry, we are indebted to Alan Robinson for getting our message out into the ether every Sunday, and the extravagant welcome extended each week by Paulette Beers and Melissa Robinson remind me every week that something special is happening here on Government Street. I thank Charlie Donnell for his work as Treasurer and Jennifer Gray, our administrative assistant, along with all those who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure as Officers, Ministry Team Liaisons, and weekly worship leaders. Remember, there's a place for you too!
Blessings abound!
Rev. Brad Hirst, Pastor
January 15, 2023
These words were written for our most recent Annual Report... perhaps they might help guide our way as this season of light unfolds...
Dear Friends,
I believe this is my 20th annual report to Second Christian Church! I can hardly believe it has been that long... I am still overwhelmed with gratitude by the wonderful October celebration of our shared two-decade ministry here in Kittery. Thank you so very much! We have accomplished so much together over those years. As the landscape has changed in our community, in our nation, and in our world, and as our church has changed, we have adapted our ministries to meet every challenge.
Nothing in our lifetimes has invited change quite so forcefully and insistently as has Covid-19. But as we continue to make our way through/out of the Covid Pandemic, our church discerns new ways to adapt and serve our community and the world. Our online presence - our website, social media, and streaming of worship services - has made our message of God's extravagant welcome available to people who may never walk through the doors of our church. While currently on a bit of a hiatus, our Mission Alignment Team is working to help us answer the question "Why are we here?" so we can be more intentional about matching our resources with the specific needs of the community we serve.
This past September - I know, technically not a part of this annual reporting period - I enjoyed the great gift of another month's Sabbatical. In addition to working to wrap up a few projects around Parson's Gulch, Linda and I were given the crazy idea of walking Scotland's West Highland Way. This had been 3 years in the making - originally planned for September 2020, it was postponed twice due to Covid. While there were days when we were quite certain we weren't going to manage the whole 96-mile, eight-day trek, we persisted. We got up every day, stretched aching muscles, laced 'em up, put one foot in front of the other, and walked every step of every mile of The Way! A great metaphor for every day of every life.
There is no denying that Covid took a lasting bite out of our life together. Two years+ of not gathering regularly for meetings and worship meant both that we needed to figure out how to do those things - on the fly! But it also means that on the other side of that (God willing) we are not the same community we were before and so must continue to do the work of reinventing ourselves. Our faith is one rooted in the idea of resurrection, that death does not have the last word. That the final word is Life! While our numbers are down, both in giving and attendance, there is a holy energy here at Second Christian and the way forward looks bright!
I continue feeling deep gratitude for all who serve our church, who give countless hours doing the behind-the-scenes work of Welcoming and Learning and equipping us to Go Out into the world. Our worship is strengthened by Mike Effenberger's music ministry, we are indebted to Alan Robinson for getting our message out into the ether every Sunday, and the extravagant welcome extended each week by Paulette Beers and Melissa Robinson remind me every week that something special is happening here on Government Street. I thank Charlie Donnell for his work as Treasurer and Jennifer Gray, our administrative assistant, along with all those who volunteer their time, talent, and treasure as Officers, Ministry Team Liaisons, and weekly worship leaders. Remember, there's a place for you too!
Blessings abound!
Rev. Brad Hirst, Pastor
January 15, 2023