From the Moderator

From the Moderator
The summer Mark and I were dating, we found ourselves on the way to Lincoln one humid night in July. As we turned off the interstate and headed into downtown, he put his finger to his lips as we passed by Memorial Stadium and whispered, “Shhhh…. That’s where God lives, “ then pointed out the window. “He’s sleeping right now, but will wake up again in September.”

Those of you that know my husband are not surprised by this story. Those that know me are not surprised when I tell you that I rolled my eyes. We went on to have a lovely dinner that evening anyway.

In the years that have followed, I cannot deny having “worshipped” at the altar amongst the Sea of Red on occasional Saturdays in the fall. Now, before you start thinking this is an homage to Nebraska athletics, let me assure that it is not and to bear with me – I’m going someplace with this.

If you’ve never attended a Big Red football game in person, it’s hard to use mere words to adequately describe it. Before the team takes the field, the marching band is in place awaiting the big arrival. And just before the jumbo screen begins playing live footage of the team walking through the tunnel of the stadium, a booming voice – that akin to what I imagine God in-person might indeed sound like – resonates, “Caaaaan yoooou feeeel iiiit?” At which point, yes, you CAN actually feel it, as you and 94,000 of your closest new friends start jumping around in time to the music pumping into the third largest city in our fair state.

Those of you who have experienced this likely just got goose bumps thinking about it. To those of you who haven’t lived it, trust me when I say it is hard to not “feel it” at that exact moment in time. Even if you are there to cheer for the other team.

So now that football in Nebraska has been put to bed, so to speak, for another year, I ask you – as a worshipper at First Central, “Can YOU feel it?”

For the past few months, the image I tried to paint for you at football games constantly comes to mind as I’m at the church. Because, I can indeed feel IT. Usually, the second I walk in the door. Sometimes, though, even from the parking lot.

Granted, there is not an overt booming voice asking me. But there is something palpable. There’s joy in faces, even the ones with grief filled tears. There’s love and kindness and laughter, even amidst hard, uncomfortable conversations. And heaven knows we’ve had a lot of those lately. Rev. David Ruhe noticed it too, and mentioned it, during his visits this summer. Which I felt was pretty amazing coming from someone who has seen every side of us as a congregation.

If you’ve not “felt” it, or if you’ve not even stopped for a minute to look around you to even try, I seriously encourage you to do so! In the hugs, in the cups of coffee, in the sermons, in the next team/group meeting you might attend. It’s there – it really, really is.

Rev. Michael Piazza mentioned it as well when he was here last fall speaking to us about his “Vintage Church” ideas and concepts. (It’s nice when one of Scott’s old bosses tells us we’re on the right track!) That’s why as the summer wrapped up this year, the Council talked about, and then agreed to, appoint a Long Range Planning Task Force.

You might remember at that time that LaMar Jones graciously agreed to lead a demographically diverse group that includes Garret Higginbotham, Tracy Zaiss, Hadley Rudd, John Austin and Natalie Lewis, along with myself and both pastors Scott and Katie. Having met now multiple times, this amazing team has taken the Council’s ‘List Of Things We Know We Need To Address At Some Point Sooner Than Later But Aren’t Sure How To Proceed’ and started the process of really looking at who we are as a church, where we want to be as a church in the next 10 years, and how this magic list of “things” might fit into both of those.

It’s been quite an amazing process to watch folks who’ve not worked together in the past come together on common – sacred – ground and dig deeply into something this big. Using past long-range plans, mission, vision and identity statements and our church covenant, the group has developed its own charter and is ready to proceed working WITH YOU to look at ideas and plans to shape First Central into the future.

LaMar will be sharing the explicit details with you soon, and in the spirit of full transparency, plan to see lots of information in the parlor over the next few weeks. And most important of all: mark your calendars for Saturday, January 21st . A retreat for ideas and brainstorming is being planned for YOU – as well as the members of Council and Ministry teams – to bring your ideas and hopes to the table in a fun, structured environment so that together, we can all start laying the plans for First Central’s next 10, 25…160 years! Watch for more details, but trust me, you’re going to want to be there.

So, again I ask you: Can you feel it? There are so many incredible things happening in our midst. I invite you to take a deep breath, let it settle into your bones and personally join us on this Grand Adventure.

Onward,

Kerrie Kleppin Winn