We Are Family!

I’ve been thinking a lot about family lately. Partly because much of mine will be visiting this weekend – they’ll have come and gone by the time you read this, but my mother, my brother and sister-in-law and their son will be here over Father’s Day – but also because of OGPC’s 275^th Anniversary Celebration we held at the beginning of June.

My daughter Grace, me, my mother Gail, my brother Bo, his wife Debbie, and their son Bode in front of the Old Greenwich sanctuary. (Photo courtesy of Grace Segers.)

It was magnificent! We worshiped the Lord together in joy with our 11^th and 16^th Pastor and members of their families, one former Parish Associate and his wife, the wife and son of another, as well as family members of the 12^th Pastor, the husband of a former Associate Pastor, and our current Presbytery Leader. Along with all of those visiting who had held pastoral leadership positions (or been connected to someone who filled that role), we also had former members who traveled to be with us. After worship, we enjoyed a special lunch where folks were able to share about their time at OGPC, the things they miss and the memories they treasure.

Some of the special guests at the lunch after worship (left to right, back row): Rev. Herb Huffmon, me, Tim Dransfield, Rev. David Jones; (left to right, front row): Marie Chesnutt, Rev. Jeanne Radak, and Rev. Richard Gibbins. (Photo courtesy of Walt Campbell.)

One of the things that I have heard over and over again in my five months with you is how Old Greenwich feels like a family. That when you walk into the sanctuary for the first time on a Sunday morning, it immediately feels like home. That the warmth and friendliness of the congregation was the thing that made you keep coming back: more than pastoral leadership, it is the congregation’s welcoming spirit that really touched your hearts.

It reminds me of Psalm 133:1, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” It is good and pleasant, but unity is more than simply showing up in the same place at the same time. Unity requires that we listen to one another, that we care for one another even when we disagree with one another, that our love for Christ and for each other is more important than who is right and who is wrong.

So far I have seen nothing to suggest that there is anything other than love and respect for each other at OGPC, but we are embarking on a new journey of faith. A journey in which our objective is to discover what it is we are passionate about, who it is we are individually and communally, and how it is God is calling us to use those passions, gifts, and talents in Christ’s service in our community, our area, and maybe even beyond.

As we walk this path, we will undoubtedly begin to discover we have lots of ideas, many of which are viable and could make a difference. But our first aspiration is to strengthen those family ties with which I started this article. To learn more about one another, to come to know one another more deeply, and to recognize each other’s strengths and challenges. As we grow closer to one another, we will also grow closer to God – and to discerning how are we are called to serve God in the days and months and years ahead. It is my joy and privilege to travel with you as your pastor, but especially as part of the Old Greenwich family as we move forward in faith together. I am excited to share the journey and especially to be a part of whatever ministry we will initiate as the OGPC family in the future!