A Full Copy Of August 4th’s Thursday Thoughts Can Be Found HERE
August 4, 2022
Dear Congregation:
On July 14 I had the privilege of attending the inaugural meeting of the Key City Rotary Club. The large room at the ARC was filled with members of the community to celebrate this new service club that proclaims its mission as:
“To make a meaningful difference in Frederick County and beyond by putting our values into action. Our vision is a community where people unite and serve to create lasting change.”
In addition, a banner at the event listed the club’s values: inclusion, service, flexibility, integrity. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that organization? In this day and age, these values—especially when put into action—are more important and impactful than ever.
Those of us who are in Rotary know the club and its members are guided by what we call the “four-way test”: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
There was a powerful energy in the room as people claimed this mission, vision, and values. And it got me to thinking: Is ERUCC as clear about its mission, vision, and values as Rotary? Do we embody an excitement about who we are and what we do? Is there energy in our life together, so much so that people are asking us how to belong, join, and get involved?
And if not, why not?
I have been a Rotarian for 29 years and am very proud of the work this service organization does in our community and around the world.
And yet, while Rotary provides service opportunities, it misses the international life we share in the Church, where we embrace the gifts of people of all ages—not as people to help but as people who also serve. The Church community provides advocacy for those whose voices have been silenced. The Church provides sacred space where our souls may be filled with contemplation, prayer, song, and engagement with sacred texts. In the wake of a tragedy such as a school shooting, which are sadly all too common these days, we are not reciting the Rotary four-way test. We are looking within for words of comfort from God and our ancestors. We are reciting the 23rd Psalm, the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus’ words about being with us always. We show up in churches and in community places and light candles in the dark.
A few weeks ago, one of our newer members asked me about our mission statement. She remembered seeing it in the new member packet but wondered why it was not posted in other places and why we did not use it more often. What a great question.
So, here it is:
We, the members of this congregation, seek to celebrate in word and deed the gospel of Jesus Christ, by nurturing spiritual growth through worship, study, and prayer; by caring for one another as God cares for us; and by proclaiming God’s love for all people as we work to help our neighbors near and far. We commit ourselves to develop and implement specific programs to fulfill our mission.
ERUCC has a mission. We gather around the values of inclusion and authenticity. How can we embrace who we are and what we are called to do with a renewed commitment and joy?
We, the members of this congregation, seek to celebrate in word and deed the gospel of Jesus Christ, by nurturing spiritual growth through worship, study and prayer; by caring for one another as God cares for us; and by proclaiming God’s love for all people as we work to help our neighbors near and far. We commit ourselves to develop and implement specific programs to fulfill our mission.
ERUCC has a mission. We gather around the values of inclusion and authenticity. How can we embrace who we are and what we are called to do with a renewed commitment and joy?
Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel,
Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed Church, United Church of Christ
15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-2762
E-mail: bkdaniel@erucc.org
