Welcome
Our Location
Sunday Services
Religious Education
Social Action
Programs
Monthly Calendar
Meet Our Minister

Minister's Pages
Monthly Message
Past Messages
Selected Sermons

Who We Are
Vision Statement
Building Project
History
Organization
By-Laws

From a House to a Home

Here we are, just beginning to get used to our new building, and starting to discover how wonderful it is. We’re also starting to discover a few “surprises” about the building, and about ourselves. The new space may feel more comfortable, yet less familiar. It may seem so much more pleasant, and yet feel so much less “ours.” And we have, in contrast to the many, many things we love about the new building, begun to uncover some of the ways in which something that was easy in the old building is not quite as easy in the new one. We knew where things were in the old place, but now there are more places where they might be. We love the fullness of the music in the Fellowship Hall, and yet we find ourselves distracted by the volume with which a conversation or a cough carries in it.

Over time, we will work all of these things out. Over time, we will come to learn how to function and grow within the context of this new space, just as we did over the forty-seven years we spent at 301 W. Elm. Over time, the spaces of this building will frame some very significant events and memories for each of us. Over time, this house will truly become our home. We live into that change; we cannot force it, any more than we can accelerate the development of a child in the womb or the change of the seasons. But each time a few of us are present at 105 N. Parrish, for whatever purpose, we move this process further along.

In the meantime, some of us may feel some anxiety from the psychological stress of moving. Others may be physically exhausted. Others may be exhilarated. Still others may be numb. And there are always a few who are energized to the extent that they are “too busy” for any of those feelings. Whatever your feelings about our move, take a moment to get in touch with them. Know your feelings, and treat them with respect. And recognize that the move and all of its associated changes may effect others in the same way as they effect you, or in different ways. Let’s be kind to our many visitors, but let’s be just as kind to each other.

In the meantime, we’re learning, all of us. We’re learning about the building, and learning about ourselves as individuals and as a community. Because we see ourselves in a new context, we have the opportunity to see each other differently. Let’s recognize that we are all learning together, and support each other as best we can. Let’s learn about each other anew, as our living in Fellowship gradually, almost imperceptibly, transforms this new house into our new home.

In closing, let me express, once again, the deep gratitude that I feel to all who have been part of this major transition. My thanks to you all, for what you have done, and what I know you will do in the coming months and years!

In gratitude,

Bill S.