[Magdalen] Prayer request -- too long, but needed to write it

[Marion Thompson]

Wow, a sad and all-too-common story.  Too many individuals in some 
congregations consider the church their gated private club, rather than 
a living example of the Gospel in action.

Marion, a pilgrim

On 8/11/2015 9:57 AM, Jo Craddock wrote:
> My parish is an old parish with a proud history. Some might even say 
> prideful. But, it is changing. And, some don't like that.
>
> So, a small minority of niche attendees (i.e., only "their" service, 
> only "their" ladies groups, rarely or never seen at a potluck or 
> Sunday School class) are charging back, as they believe is their duty. 
> And, it probably is. Change is not always right or good, and should be 
> examined and studied -- in the light of the Gospel. And, besides: 
> their grandmothers gave that incandescent bulb to the church in 1910, 
> and there's no freakin' reason we need LED, you liberal, pinko, commie 
> scum.
>
> Our rector has conducted same-sex blessings, and is prepared to open 
> the sacrament of marriage equally -- in line with current requirements 
> for holy matrimony at our parish -- with the approval (expected) of 
> our bishop. Our rector will baptize or bury anyone. He preaches the 
> Gospel -- not Michael Curry-style, but consistently. One particular 
> sermon is acknowledged by one who is well-known as one of the largest 
> purses in the church, if not the entire metro area, of their 
> underwriting a city-wide afterschool music program, now involving a 
> couple of thousand children. That means some children from underserved 
> areas are bussed to our and other churches in the afternoons for music 
> lessons and homework help by talented musicians and musicians trained 
> in child pedagogy -- alongside some of our Day School children. Those 
> who come from other schools don't all look like our Day School 
> children, and it ain't just the uniform difference.
>
> We're downtown. We have many neighbors on the street without an 
> address. We hand out $2 bags of protein, carb, and water for the 
> asking. Some of those people ask for a bag more than once. Imagine; 
> they're hungry again, the next day. These adults don't look like the 
> adults in their Escalades and BMWs dropping off their Day School 
> children in the morning, and some believe exposing our children to the 
> site of such people is inappropriate. Yes, that's what they said: It's 
> in appropriate for those people to be seen.
>
> And, it seems I have become a side target on which to direct some of 
> their anger.
>
> I have been largely writing (90-95% or more) and laying out our 
> newsletters and service leaflets for nearly 18 years. Four years ago, 
> you might recall, I joined the staff full-time, having been a 
> contractor previously, and was charged with everything that is seen, 
> read, or touched; if not writing, then presenting it so that it is in 
> our voice and our brand, adding web site, e-newsletters, promotional 
> pieces, marketing, etc. to my plate.
>
> Sometime after starting our e-newsletter, I began adding a little 
> piece of art and link to the Sunday readings to each issue. About half 
> the time I write it, myself; and about half the time I've found a 
> quote to use (attributed, permission granted) that I find pertinent. 
> You can see our issues:
> http://stjamesbr.org/resources/newsletters
>
> I've often wondered on Thursday evenings as I'm still working on the 
> reading and study of the lections I started on Tuesday, whether anyone 
> reads these things; am I wasting my time that should be spent 
> finishing the mobile design for the newsletter I've had on the back 
> burner for months?
>
> Well, one of our vocal minority did read and was offended by my 
> selections for the July 3 issue:
> http://stjamescsf.org/eMessenger3Jul2015.html
>
> This was the week of SCOTUS rulings on ACA and marriage equality, and 
> the PB's message on same. Mind you, the offended person has never 
> contacted me, although we have known each other and our families for 
> >20 years. He's never asked my reasoning in selecting this quote for 
> inclusion.
>
> In fact, I felt it could be read as some comfort whichever side of the 
> issues one is on; we *do* have many sins from which to repent, and 
> (while I don't think so), some of our current decisions could be 
> wrong. We can hope our posterity will judge us with the mercy we might 
> give those who came before us. With a link to the gospel about turning 
> the other cheek. And, <enter flag wave, here> an acknowledgment of our 
> national birthday celebration, to boot.
>
> A "values subcommittee" to a "strategic planning committee" to conduct 
> "lay oversite of all communications that come from the church" has 
> been proposed. (Lay oversees all -- even the rector's letters?!?! The 
> asst. rector's email reminders of bible study?!?!) There are enough 
> layers of legislation there to believe this will never come to 
> fruition. However, it has also added another arrow to the quiver of 
> those who wish to sling some at the rector; he's responsible for 
> hiring me, after all. He has been most supportive. His original charge 
> to me was, "Standing still is not an option. Push the envelope." He, 
> and other vestry members tell me they, "have [my] back." This sort of 
> proposal is also, functionally, impossible. I'm working an average of 
> 45-50 hours/week, now, to stay near the top of things. If I had to 
> pass everything through another someone, anyone, we're sunk, in my 
> opinion. It is, as I see it, my line in the sand.
>
> I ask for your prayers for the battles on the ground still to be 
> fought as the GenCon legislation moves forward; I'm sure there are 
> many other parishes experiencing the same sort of thing, and there 
> will be unintended and unexpected victims.
>
> Peace,
> Jo
>
>