These last two weeks I’ve been part of gatherings looking back on the life of two congregations over the past decade/s.

The first was our annual CMC office staff retreat.  Gwen, Mark, Mim, and I have been working together for ten years, but with Gwen’s upcoming retirement, this was her last retreat (which she hosted marvelously in her beautiful home). Laura Steiner and Bethany Davey joined us.  With Laura beginning as Church Administrator in January, and Bethany’s pastoral internship bridging into the spring, we thought we’d all benefit by looking back on the past decade to better understand the present and what’s ahead.  After a bit of pre-decade prelude, we went around the room for each year, beginning with 2014, each of us naming a story and memorable event from that time, personal and congregational.

The second gathering was this past Saturday as Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship celebrated their 50th anniversary.  I pastored there for seven years before coming to Columbus.  I was one of five pastors who spoke at the evening program, with other former pastors sending in written reflections as the stories moved from the mid-70s to the present.  I focused my comments on the fact that I got to be their pastor while the congregation was in their 30s, a good time of life to settle into a sense of home, which they did in relationship to their building, neighborhood, and sense of place and purpose in the city. 

I tend to be a future-oriented person.  That’s not necessarily a great thing, it’s just my brain in default mode.  Being in the present moment is a spiritual exercise.  So is actively remembering the stories and people that have shaped the present.  A lot happens in a decade.  Quite a bit more in five decades.  Thanks to these two gatherings I’m presently feeling filled up with stories, and gratitude for having been part of them.

Joel

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