Celebrating the Gift of Transformation

Fall is upon us. The autumnal equinox occurred just a few days ago. I find that I am attracted to transition moments - sunrises, sunsets, the changes of seasons. They help me pay attention to the ongoing process of transformation. The truth is that every moment is a transition moment and the whole world and all of us in it are always and forever in the process of change and transformation. But most of the time we are so busy paying attention to something else that we fail to notice. Which is why I appreciate those occasions when it is so dramatic that I can't miss it. The setting sun paints the clouds with amazing hues of yellow, orange, and red. The trees use that same palette to paint their leaves. Then my only response is to stand in breathless awe. Then I stand a chance of remembering that every moment is a gift of as yet unrealized potentiality just waiting to be unwrapped. I saw a quote the other day. “The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.” I can cling tightly to the way things are, or I can let go into the promise of the way things are becoming. Change will occur whether I like it or not, whether I notice or not. But when I notice and surrender I get to enjoy it. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of God as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image, from one degree of glory to another.” (2 Corinthians 3:18) I invite you to join me in paying attention to the amazing process of transformation that is happening all around us and within us in every moment. It is an ongoing gift from God. May we notice it. May we celebrate it. May we enjoy it. May we participate in it. 

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Celebrating My Gifts . . . And Yours!!!

I am a poet, a photographer, a flute player, a dancer, a preacher, a dad, a grandfather, a partner, a grateful human being. All of these things bring joy and a sense of purpose to my life. And whenever I start comparing myself with someone else I say things like “I’m not a very good poet” and “I’m a mediocre photographer” and “I wish I could play the flute like my brother” and . . . You get the idea. It’s never a helpful path to follow, and it never leads me anywhere useful. I just end up feeling bad, and the joy and purpose are nowhere to be found. But when I manage to remember that any such comparisons are inherently false then I begin to find my way back into the light where joy and purpose flow freely. I am not simply a poor imitation of someone else. I am wonderfully and uniquely myself, with my own God-given gifts, touching the world as only I can. And the same is true for every other person on the planet. When we compare ourselves with others we generate an “us vs. them” energy. When we simply celebrate who we are and the gifts we have been given then we begin to generate an “all of us together” energy. We are freed to really appreciate our own gifts and the gifts of everyone else as well. Plymouth Congregational Church is a vital and vibrant congregation not because we are all the same, but because we choose to celebrate and share our individual uniquenesses so that God can shine through us and touch the world. Together may we learn to celebrate and shine.

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

A Little Kindness Makes a World of Difference

A couple of weeks ago I had the delightful opportunity to see the remarkable documentary film “Won't You Be My Neighbor?” about Fred Rogers (the man responsible for the PBS children's show “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.” I knew of the show, but I'm not sure if I ever actually watched it. Which may have been part of why I found the film so compelling. Going in I didn't have any emotional investment in the subject matter, and yet I found myself absolutely enthralled and inspired. As one reviewer put it, “On paper, all that low-key positivity ought to be tricky material for a documentary filmmaker. But watching “Won't You Be My Neighbor?” was a profoundly emotional experience.” There were several things which grabbed me. First, here was this quiet, gentle, unassuming man who was absolutely driven, by his faith and by his deep concern for the well being of children, to do something to make a difference in the world. He ran against the grain of cultural trends. His show wasn't flashy, it was slow-paced and gentle. And his message was profound in it's simplicity. He wanted every child to know that they had inherent value. “I like you just the way you are.” He took children and their feelings seriously. He respected them. 

Sometimes in the church we try to get fancy. We think we need to get on board with the all of the latest cultural trends. We fall into the trap of believing that if we just do this, or that, or some other thing that we heard about, then we will be successful. We worry that our message always needs to be exciting and flashy or else people won't be interested. But the truth is that we don't need to be flashy, we just need to be real. We need to be kind and caring. We need to be open and honest. We need to practice hospitality. We already have an amazing message. “No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.” My experience at Plymouth is that these are more than just words. They speak to a reality which we embody and live out on a regular basis. In our own quiet, gentle ways, may we continue to reach out beyond ourselves and touch the world with the power of God's love and acceptance. 

- Roger Lynn

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

We Are The Church Together

There is an old Sunday School song that begins, “I am the Church. You are the Church. We are the Church together. All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we are the Church together!” We who are part of this particular corner of the Church known as Plymouth Congregational UCC do a pretty good job of exemplifying this truth. There is diversity among us, and it takes all of that diversity to truly be the Church. Some among us have lived a long time, while some are just beginning life's journey. Some have been in church their whole life, while some are very new to the experience. Some have enough money to be very comfortable, while some struggle financially. Some are gay, some are straight, some are transgender. Some are more liberal, while some are more conservative. Some were born in this country, while some were born in another part of the world. Some are loud, while others are quiet. Some are active in social and political causes, while others seek to make a difference in one-on-one encounters. Some are very clear about what they believe, while some are searching for answers. We are not all the same size, shape, color, or gender. We do not fit neatly into one category, one description, one box. And yet, together we are the Church. The message which is printed in our bulletin every week continues to be the reality we strive to embody. “No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.” Thank you for the part you play in making Plymouth the remarkable gift that it is. “Yes, we are the Church together!”

- Pastor Roger

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Summer Brings a Change of Pace

In astronomical terms, summer begins with the summer solstice on June 21st. But in cultural terms, summer began last Monday with Memorial Day. Summer brings a change of pace, with backyard barbecues, concerts in the park, weekend getaways, and family vacations. The summer effect finds its way into the church as well. Things slow down a bit, with generally lower worship attendance and fewer mid-week activities. A few special events also get added to the calendar - including Breakfast on the Pass and Church Camp. Summer can be something akin to Sabbath – a time for us to experience rest and renewal for our weary souls.  When you are in town I hope you will join us for worship on Sunday mornings, and wherever your life takes you in the next few months I hope that you will have the opportunity to be refreshed. And whether these days find you traveling or at home, please remember to continue supporting Plymouth with your prayers and your financial contributions. Summer may bring with it a slower pace, but the bills still need to be paid. Thank you for being a part of this vibrant community of faith which we call Plymouth. 

- Pastor Roger  

(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)

Beyond Our Enemy Images

This is my latest contribution to the "Pastor's Column" in our local newspaper (the Helena Independent Record).

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In ways both subtle and blatant, across all aspects of our life and culture, our lives have been and continue to be shaped by enemy images. There is an understanding of “how the world works” which operates at a deep level and assumes that the world is divided into “us” and “them,” and that “they” are out to get “us.” We hear it from our politicians. We see it in the news. We find it on our Facebook pages. We watch it unfold in the midst of our own community. Sometimes we hear it preached from the pulpit, and we even read it in the pages of scripture. It is a world view which is so ubiquitous and pervasive as to be almost invisible. It hides in the shadows, flies below our radar, and slips past our awareness. All too often we tend to think it simply is the way things are and the way they always will be, because it is the way things always have been.

The Example of Our Life Together

On a fairly regular basis people ask me about Plymouth. My standard reply is to tell them about the faithfulness of the people (you). I tell them about the wonderful energy that is present on Sunday mornings when we gather together for worship. I tell them about the ways we are involved in the community. I tell them about the fact that our building is so heavily used it is sometimes challenging to find a space to hold a meeting. And I tell them about all the ways in which I feel supported and cared for by the congregation. Sometimes I have the opportunity to listen while other people talk to me about the many ways in which they appreciate Plymouth. The other night at “Let’s Talk About It” several people approached me to share their gratitude for our congregation. In the two and a half years I have been your pastor I have come to understand that Plymouth has a (well-deserved) reputation around Helena for being a safe, open, welcoming place for people to gather. May we continue to live in such a way that people don’t need to ask us what we believe because they can see it spelled out in bold letters through the example of our collective life together. Thank you for being who you are, and for the privilege I have of serving with you as your pastor.

- Pastor Roger  
(keeping my feet firmly planted in the flow)