(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 THE REV. COREY J. SANDERSON
There is something powerful about celebrating the “big moments” of life. It might be a milestone birthday or a graduation. It could be a new marriage or landing your first real job. Whatever it happens to be, we can’t help but pause from the rush of daily life to celebrate these special moments with those closest to us.
Two hundred years ago, The Second Congregational Church of Greenfield was formed when a handful of local families wanted a church in the newly designated center of town. Given how quickly the world has changed, especially in the recent times, 200 years is a sign of endurance and a symbol of perseverance. In a disposable culture of planned obsolescence, this milestone is a sure occasion to celebrate.
Besides giving us an opportunity to eat cake, celebrations do something else: they offer us perspective and they teach us gratitude. Whatever the moment and however the occasion is marked, something profound happens; the past, present and future become powerfully real for us. We look back at the journey, we take in the fullness of the present, and we imagine a future rich with possibility.
Part of our church’s bicentennial has involved looking back to where we have come from. There are countless people and experiences that have made up our history. Together, these have brought our church to this moment in time. Untold acts of generosity and expressions of care have been lovingly passed down through the years. We are the inheritors of this legacy. Like a runner handing off the baton in a relay race, our cumulative history has passed down the care of this church into our hands.
A church is not a museum dedicated to memorializing the past. It is a living, breathing and active body of faithful souls who seek to grow in faith, share in a life of community, and serve others in the world. The present life of any religious community should be focused on the needs of the local community. “Is the overall quality of life of people in our town better because of what we do as a church?” The answer to this question says it all.
While riding on our church’s float during the Franklin County Fair parade, I was struck by how many people had a connection to our church. People from Community Meals enthusiastically waved to us. Folks who had used our building for meetings, classes, workshops and concerts cheered us on as well. It was a proud moment to see the impact our church is making.
While living fully in the present is important, every community also needs to have an eye toward the future. Continuity can no longer be assumed as it was in years past. Perseverance is not the sure thing it had once been. Someone will need to take the baton from our hands. Recognizing that all expressions of Christianity are in the midst of massive change, people in my church have been asking, “What will the future of our church look like?”
Brian McLaren, in his new book, “The Great Spiritual Migration,” points to the change unfolding among this and future generations: a shift from conceptual beliefs to embodied values lived out in daily life. Like the Biblical wisdom that “faith without works is dead” and the cultural mandate to “practice what you preach,” a new way of being the church is emerging. McLaren challenges churches to reorganize to become “schools of love” that teach a simpler, more generous and more just way of following Jesus.
The United Church of Christ, the progressive denomination to which our church belongs, knows this well. All 5,000 churches have been called to practice three great loves — love of children, love of neighbor and love of creation.
These are things that all people can practice, regardless of their background. Our friends at Temple Israel practice these loves week after week. The good folks at The Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew do so as well. People who would never identify as “religious” do so, too.
What will our church look like in the future? It certainly won’t resemble what it has been in the past. It might not even look like it does in the present. All we know is that with our willingness to pass the baton on to the next generation, and our eye on nurturing an emerging faith that is even more just and generous, we trust God that the future will be bright.
We all think that is something worth celebrating.
All are invited to join our Sunday 10 a.m. worship service on Sept. 24 for the church’s 200th anniversary celebration.
About Second Congregational Church
The Second Congregational Church, UCC is located at 16 Court Square in downtown Greenfield, right next to Town Hall. As an Open and Affirming church, we welcome all people into the life of our community. Balancing tradition and innovation, we strive to serve people throughout Franklin County and beyond.
In celebration of our church’s 200th anniversary, all are invited and welcome to join our special Sunday 10 a.m. worship service on Sept. 24. Following worship we will be holding a free luncheon with related events for people of all ages. Please contact the office with any questions: 413-774-4355 or office@greenfieldsecondchurch.com