(Each Saturday, a faith leader in Franklin County offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 265.)
By REV. DR. CANDI ASHENDEN
Do I belong? Would I like to? Will anyone like me? Do I have anything in common with THOSE PEOPLE?
I suspect that all of us, at some point or another in our lives, have found ourselves asking those questions. Perhaps you are preparing to attend a new school, or to go off to college. Maybe you are thinking of taking a new job, or moving to a new town. Possibly you are wishing to become involved in a new club or sport. Perchance you are considering visiting a new church, or attending one for the first time.
No matter what new group we might be entering, each one of us experiences a range of feelings. We might be anxious, nervous, even scared. We could be excited, eager, enthused. Cautiously, we may tiptoe toward the door hoping to enter unseen, or we may fling it open and declare that we have arrived. Different personalities and varied past experiences influence how we approach a new community, but still we all bravely take this step when necessary.
At the beginning of April, I took a new step and became part of the Athol Congregational Church, taking on the 10-hour-per-week position as the Family and Outreach Pastor. I am a lifelong member of the United Church of Christ, have been a pastor for more than 20 years, have served multiple churches, continue to serve the United Congregational Church of Conway, and have preached more than 1,000 sermons. And you know what? I still entered the doors of the Athol sanctuary for the first time a bit nervously. I wondered if I would “fit,” if they would like me, if God was calling me to something new there.
On that day, the church people greeted me with open arms and they continue to embrace me. Patiently now, they repeat their names over and over again as I determinedly struggle to learn them all. Newcomers to the church and I figure out things together. Long-time members come alongside all us “newbies” and invite us to join in. Parents of Sunday school children answer my phone calls even though they think it’s telemarketing until I introduce myself.
Gradually, I am becoming known. The new and the strange are becoming more relaxed and comfortable. This new place of mystery and uncertainty is starting to feel like another home. I am beginning to feel like a member and not a visitor.
The journey into any new place is a difficult one. The journey into a new church is no exception for the human heart. However, once you enter the doors of a church, you will find that people really are waiting to welcome you. You will discover that there aren’t buzz words you need to know, or theological concepts you must have all figured out, or commitments you need to be ready to make when you first walk in the door. Every church person was once new … if not in that church, then somewhere else.
The age-old church joke is that the ceiling will fall in if someone new or long-time absent walks into the sanctuary. Well, I have good news for you — the ceiling of the Athol church fell in several years ago … and no one got hurt … and it has since been shored up and made beautiful once again. Often, we feel a need for community or togetherness when we are going through hard times, or we wish for people to celebrate with during good times, and the Athol church community clearly offers that.
So, there’s no time like the present to walk through those doors. You will be welcomed. And, if you continue to attend, and to get to know people, and to share in the life of the church, you will, like me, soon find you have another new home.
Athol Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, is a community church that offers an extravagant welcome to all. Located at 1225 Chestnut Street, by the common in uptown Athol, we worship together on Sundays at 10 a.m. From September to June, a free breakfast for all children and teens is served from 9:30 to 10 a.m. Our ministry team consists of senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor, and Family and Outreach Pastor, Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden. On Sunday, Sept. 10, families are invited to come and register their children and youth for Sunday School. Our newly renovated Church School has interactive classes for children ages 3 to 18, in which children learn about the Bible through hands-on activities, including crafts, computer games, puppets and maps. For questions about the church, feel free to contact us at accuccoffice@gmail.com or call 978-249-6202. We would love to have you join us!