Interim Discussions, Session 1

I hope that you have marked your calendar for the evening of Wednesday, September 17, to gather for a potluck meal with fellow church members, followed by a storytelling and re-membering session from 6-7 p.m. During this session, we will be working together in small groups to share stories of what we remember that makes up the history of First Central Congregational Church. We will first share at our tables and then compile what has been shared as a large group.

It is important to know that the point of this gathering is not to create a document or polished finished product about the FCC history. We have many resources that already provide facts about important dates, events, and people who have been instrumental in guiding First Central to where it is now.

What we are most concerned about is the experience of sharing and of being able to use this information to tell the story of who we are – and even more importantly, who we are NOW.

We will take time to gather memories of important events that happened within the last 1-25 years, knowing that earlier than that, much of the history has been documented in books and articles that are available in the church library and history room. After we spend time with this activity, we will then have conversation at the tables, answering the following questions: What surprised you? What was new to you? What did you hear differently today than you have heard before?

One of the guiding principles of my style of ministry is that the way we do things matters just as much as what we do. Another way to say this is that the process is just as important as the product or outcome. Gathering around tables, telling stories, and having meaningful conversation with each other is at least as important, if not more so, than whatever “product” we create out of this experience.

I hope that you will come and join us on September 17 to be part of this storytelling experience. Please reach out to me at pastor@firstcentral.org if you have any questions!