EASTER VI

May 22, 2022

“When the Old Becomes New”      

Have you ever had a memory pop up when you least expect it?  A few weeks ago, I recalled a wonderful, unique experience, and I felt as inspired and joy-filled as the day it occurred.  It was a beautiful, sunny spring morning, and was a memorable day on several levels.  Our congregation had been outgrowing the worship space we had occupied since 1962.  We’d added about four rows of pews when we had a building addition in 1971, and still had folding chairs along the outer walls at the end of the pews, and along one side of the center aisle.      

After prayer, meetings, committee formation, more prayer, more meetings, and a great deal of work and commitment, the dream became a reality, and in the spring of 1985, by the grace of God, a new sanctuary was completed.  One last worship service, and it was time to move out of a place that felt like home.  What a time of mixed feelings this was!  Although eager to move into the new space, we couldn’t help but recall the life events that had taken place within those walls.  Baptisms, weddings, funerals, confirmations, learning to be part of a faith community — all were part of our collective memory, drawing us together.     

As we lingered, visited, and looked around nostalgically, the sound of change ripped through the air — power tools were being cranked up and the pews were being unbolted from the floor!  They were  going to be loaded onto a couple of trailers waiting in the parking lot to transport them to their new home in Illinois.  It turned out that a young man who had joined St. Andrew after moving to Cedar Rapids was a pastor’s son — his dad was the mission developer for a newly formed church, and they were in need of furnishings. Hmmm — coincidence?  Probably a little more than happenstance.  Our altar, pulpit, lectern and baptismal font also made the move, and the day was filled with endings, beginnings, and joy.       

What a remarkable opportunity to share this furniture that had served us well and could go on to be useful to a new congregation. I couldn’t help but think of  families who would be sitting where our family had over the years, and I hoped they would hear inspiring preaching, raise their voices in praise to God, and make memories as a church family.  I don’t think there could have been a more appropriate way to celebrate our time of change.      

As the apostles moved into new areas, preaching the Gospel, establishing faith communities, changes took place as new believers learned how to work together.  It wasn’t always easy, as, of course, humans have ideas and opinions of their own and some are rather forceful in how they express themselves.  The leaders and founders walked a fine line between requiring strict obedience to practices and common policies and leaving every new church to find its own way, however shaky and uncertain their reasoning.  Not much has changed over the centuries, and, as God’s people, we are still called to witness, to serve, and to show God’s love for all people. 

Grateful for opportunities to share,

Your friend in Christ,

Mary Rogers