Sept2007_page3

At its regularly scheduled meeting on December 17, the Session met with The Rev. Ellen Marquardt, Interim Presbytery Executive, and Elder Jim DeCastro, Clerk of Session at West Islip Church and a member of the Presbytery's Committee on ministry. Jim is serving as the liaison between that committee and our Church. The purpose of the visit was to review the relationship of the Interim Pastor and the Congregation. This visit is to take place annually for an Interim and, particularly before the end of two years and before any renewal of the relationship.

Though this should be a time for reviewing the work that has been accomp0lished, both the COM team and the Session immediately got into a discussion on Pastor Tom continuing after his contract ends at the end of March. The Session was assured that the contract may be renewed if both the Session and Pastor Tom so desire. Pastor Tom has indicated to the Session that he welcomes the opportunity to continue for there is work he feels compelled to see through that is not completed.

Christian Unity Week came and went, receiving little attention, for most Christians this year, even though it was the 100th Anniversary of its first celebration! Beginning Friday, January 18th, it was mentioned at masses held that day in our area, but did not lead to any ecumenical service. In an earlier period of time there would have been an observance on the following Sunday evening which brought all the Christian communities of faith in the community together to speak to the theme of unity without uniformity. Pastor Tom has indicated that when he came to this area and inquired of his clergy colleagues whether such an observance was held he was told there was a lack of interest in doing so..

Peter Steinfels, New York Times columnist, writing the following day, asked “Has the ecumenical movement lost steam? Or has it, perhaps fallen victim to its own success? One way or the other, does it make any difference?” It seems people in the pews have other things on their mind. They take for granted that the painful barriers that kept Christians separated from each other in the past have been lowered. Have we accepted our diversity and, in fact, affirmed and applauded it so we need not draw attention to it anymore? I would point out, however, that in this year's political campaign the Religious Right has made some proposals which should shock other Christians and should be addressed in an united way!

Then, too, maybe today we need to address Christianity's relationship to other world religions Islam, in particular. That is why we here at Old South Haven observed Pentecost/ Pluralism Sunday last spring using the Pentecost scripture passage of “each heard in their own language” an opportunity to say that we need to acknowledge that peoples hear the word in their own language the language of their own culture and their own experiences. Maybe we need a week of observance of that reality and affirm it!

Pastor Tom

Be sure you save the date of Saturday, February 9 for our “thank you” dinner for Peggy. The festivities start at 6:00 pm in the Carriage House.

Peggy has been more than our organist/choir director. Pastor Tome refers to her as our Minister of Music for she has enriched our worship life through her contribution of organ pieces and choir anthems that speak to the theme of a particular worship service.

We are thankful that upon her retirement she wishes to continue her involvement with us, and will continue to be in the choir loft, moving from the organ bench to a seat in the choir!

If you did not receive an invitation by mail, and wish to attend, please let Pastor Tom or Darcy Stevens know to make a reservation.