DIRECTION DISCERNMENT HOMILY
This morning I am here to report to you the consensus of our discernment meetings for implementing the mission we identified in July. Our meeting phase has ended, and the planning phase begins today. I want to thank Fr. Dennis for giving me this time today.
What I have learned is that discernment works in mysterious ways.
I have no idea how Jean and I decided to offer First Corinthians as the September discussion topic for Adult Inquiry. It just came to us that it would be a good idea at this time to read it.
Corinth was the largest city in its province. It was an important port. It had more microbreweries and strip clubs per capita than any other city in the world. Its work depended heavily on slaves from other countries. Corinth was not so much un-churched as any churched. Its new Christian community was small, uncertain and contentious. But if anything, it was the downtown church of all downtowns. However, they were not in good standing with the leaders of the synagogue. They had stopped sending money to the mother church in Jerusalem. They had questions about sex and sexuality and argued about the roll of women in the church. Some drifted from one preacher to the next and had started to identify themselves with other liturgies. Others were tangled in ecclesiastical lawsuits over form and practice. Many had come to question Paul and his message and some complained that his sermons were dull. Especially compared to the new guy in town Apollos. And worst of all, perhaps, many had started to see the Eucharist as an event for socializing. Coffee hour at St. Paul’s in Corinth began at the table and often ended under it.
Paul had a vision of Christ and made it his mission to preach the good news. He believed in love above all things and invited us to think of ourselves as "servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries."
In 1 Corinthians he tries to articulate in practical terms what a church might look like. He has a vision; he has a mission and now tries the 2
difficult task of spelling out the details. How to get this thing to work.
At St. Stephen’s we believe with Paul in the stewardship of God’s mystery.
We discern that God is telling us that there is specific and special work to do at 13th and Clay. That work involves providing a spiritual home for those seeking communion and solace embraced in that mystery. And as the outward and visible expression of the grace we find here, we wish to be a community that reaches out to those of our little corner who are in need: the hungry, sick, lonely and hurt.
Our discernment process begins with the solidly expressed desire to remain in this place and to continue to search for a way to stay here permanently.
What will we do here?
First, we must project a fiscal plan for 2010 that operates within our means. For 2009 we have operated with a projected deficit. Next year we will need to make serious decisions about our priorities under reduced means.
Second, we will initiate programs to grow our presence as a center for spiritual healing.
Third, we will look to create partnerships that support our direction and enhance our capabilities.
And fourth, we are agreed to take steps to increase local awareness of who we are and what we are doing and to grow the congregation.
What are some of the practicalities?
First let’s review our financial position:
o We have no endowment or large reserve.
o At the end of August our cash position was roughly $75k. Our less liquid investments were valued at just under $60k.
o At the annual meeting in January we adopted a plan that forecast a shortfall of $56k and an intention to balance the year by drawing down our cash holdings. We are still able to do that. Our expenses are tracking very close to plan. For example YTD our music program appears to be within $17 of the forecast. But everyone needs to know we are still not paying our diocesan assessment.
o The good news is that our contributions are running at a rate of 11.6% ahead of the plan. This is due largely to some truly timely and generous gifts. At this rate our deficit would only be $32k, by the end of the year. So even though we need to continue to be concerned, everyone should know that we will not be broke at the end of December. But we cannot play the same card again.
How about our building?
o The bottom line on our building is this: it is not going to fall down around our ears on its own. It would be in trouble with a major earthquake, snowstorm or fire.
o We do not have the resources to bring it up to code. But to stay here longer we do need to consider doing some of the maintenance that has been deferred. This would include our old favorite of repairs to the roof.
How will we implement our mission?
We will start a Parish Care Program. I hope everyone has had a chance to read the article by our Deacon, Ken Arnold in this month’s Sentinel. It envisions a St. Stephen’s program, which would lead our mission to provide a downtown center for spiritual peace and healing. Some of its activities would include
1) Participation in laying on of hands during the Sunday Eucharist,
2) Visiting parishioners in hospital or at home recovering
3) Partnering with our neighbor Julia West House or Operation Nightwatch to visit the sick who are homeless or lack family care. We have two excellent and experienced trainers in Bill North and Palmer Pardington who have offered to help with this program. Those of you who are interested are invited to talk directly to Ken.
We are in discussion to start an evening service at the south waterfront. It would be a way of reaching out into our neighborhood to spread the good news among those whom we live! Kevin Countryman, the proprietor of Rilassi Coffee House is open to the idea of our doing a healing service there. Today, the south waterfront has no churches and no organized spiritual activity and just happens to be at the streetcar terminus for the line that comes past Clay Street.
We want to figure out how to tell our story at PSU. Historically we have not been very good at this; and practically no other church at this end of town has either. But it continues to be of obvious interest.
On the creative side some have suggested inviting another church to prepare and provide an additional meal using our kitchen and parish hall. I have been part of a joyous conversation envisioning a blessing of bicycles. And at our last vestry meeting one of our newest members Ed Garren proposed organizing a shared Thanksgiving meal for the entire community. I love this kind of energy!
What can each of us do?
Bob Tayler is this year’s Stewardship Chairperson. Shortly he will be talking to us about our campaign for our Year of Mission Building. It is a given that we will all need to search ourselves on the matter of treasure. But I would hold out that next year is a very important year for increased gifts of time and talent.
In Chapter 12 of 1 Corinthians Paul talks about the variety of spiritual gifts, "To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit." And later in Chapter 14 he asks, "What should be done then, my friends? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up."
What is your ministry today? What can be your ministry going forward? When I last spoke to you four weeks ago I gave examples of those whose ministries have run long and deep. I see in The Sentinel John Marks is back on the essay trail.
There is a new ministry I would like to tell you about today. I know they would keep this secret, but Drew and Marcos have asked to take on the church cleaning job as their gift of talent this year to start in the next few weeks. Fr. Dennis is working out the details with them, but it is a gift that takes my breath away.
What can you do? Are you a leader? We will need three new members for the Vestry next year. Are you a bookkeeper? Sue Rossiter’s time as our volunteer treasurer is coming to an end. Who wants to start an Altar Guild? Who can own the 10:00 coffee hour? Who would like to work on the library, help count money, become a lector, be an acolyte? Lead a discussion group. Help publicize our concerts. Organize a potluck. Sing in the choir. Coordinate with Portland’s hotel concierges. Work on the Parish Care Committee. We are rich in the spirit and rich in talent and the opportunities are endless.
And as Paul says concluding his letter to the Corinthians, "Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous and strong. Let all that you do be done in love."
When we depart this morning, we will offer a prayer to our God of abundance and ask to be sent forth in the power of his Spirit.
We have a joyful dream and our time is now. I personally discern a lot of love in this place and an abundant future for St. Stephen’s as we proclaim God’s redeeming love of our world.
[Amen]
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