Ten Highlights

I’m still glowing a bit from the very generous, meaningful, and tasty celebration you all threw for me a few weeks ago to mark my tenth year anniversary with CMC. Every job will have its ups and downs, but it truly has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for me for the past 10 years. This occasion has given me a chance to reflect a bit, and in the spirit of the lovely video you all shared with “10 reasons we love Pastor Mark,” I thought I would use this month’s blog to share 10 Highlights from the last 10 years that have been especially meaningful for me. 

1. 12 Hymns Worship Series: When I was interviewing for my position, CMC was in the middle of our 12 Scriptures Worship Series, and shortly after I was hired I was tasked with coordinating a 12 Hymns series to explore and celebrate our most cherished songs. It was one of the first big projects I took on, and I was thankful for the opportunity to lean into both my administrative and musical gifts. 
2. Weddings: Getting the opportunity to be a part of a handful of CMC folks special days has been quite an honor. Even more meaningful for me, however, were the sessions we spent ahead of time holding space for good, honest conversations about love, relationships, and what it means to commit to one another. 
3. Preaching/Dancing at CDC Annual Assembly: I was invited to preach at the Central District Conference Annual Assembly one summer and decided to use the opportunity to speak about my experiences of sexuality and faith. As part of that sermon, I ended with a surprise invitation for the congregation to step beyond comfort zones and dance. And we did, with all the Mennonite zeal we could muster. 
4. Coming of Age (Orange Soda God): The Coming of Age services are always meaningful every year, getting the chance to see our young people take on new roles. One memory that sticks out, however, was the year I had the class help write the call to worship in a MadLibs style. In response to “God’s is like _____________” the class was delighted to fill in the blank with “orange soda.” While this was a little silly, it gave us the opportunity to talk about theology and metaphors and the limits/opportunities of language. 
5. Poetry Unwind: When the pandemic set in, we scrambled to figure out how to do Church in this strange new world. Leaning into the opportunities that Zoom offered, we decided to try starting new small group options for people. My idea was to bring a group together around a poem each week and use it as a loose springboard into talking about whatever the words evoked. I was always amazed by how the images and metaphors would open up doors for talking about deep and meaningful things in people’s lives. Even though I stepped away from the group to put my energy elsewhere, I’m so glad it lives on (and encourage you to check it out if you’re interested). 
6. Peace Camp/Peaceburg: One summer I decided I wanted to try to put my own spin on our normal VBS, leaning into our identity as peacemakers. I also decided to try to lean into my love of gaming, developing a very basic system for the kids to work together to build a fictional town called Peaceburg, responding to challenges with peace and justice. It was an experiment that turned out to be a lot of fun, and I still smile thinking about the kids proudly showing their parents how they contributed to the town. 
7. Drives to/from Camp Friedenswald: Getting to be a part of the Friedenswald community has been great overall and I’m glad our kids (and adults) have such a special place. But just as much as what happens at camp, the drives to and from stand out to me. Even though I usually dread these long drives with vans full of young people (often in precarious weather conditions), they often turn into such great opportunities for building relationships. 
8. Spoken Word Poetry Sermon(s): One of the things I’m most thankful for about CMC is the way creative risk-taking is encouraged. In the middle of wrestling with the racial unrest all across the country and the advent of the Black Lives Matter Movement, I struggled to figure out how to speak into or about that moment. Typical prose didn’t feel adequate, and so I felt called to speak poetically. I’ve always loved words but never as a poet, so writing a sermon in the form of a spoken word poem was a big swing but one that I know resonated with many of you. 
9. Sabbaticals: Speaking of nurturing creativity, I’ve also been so thankful for both of the sabbaticals I’ve been offered during my ten years. The first focused on new ways to engage youth ministry and the most recent allowed me to work through The Artist’s Way and explore the connections between creativity, spirituality, and Christian formation. Both of them have been extremely refreshing and have born fruit in their own ways.
10. Meals/Coffee/Tea and Conversations: Lastly, even though it is not a singular memory or highlight, I wanted to name my appreciation for all the many breakfasts, coffees, teas, lunches, and other opportunities to have deep conversations with so many of you all. My love of all things related to breakfast is well-known, but the conversations always managed to be even sweeter than the scones. And I suppose I’ll end with an invitation: if you would like to connect in this way, don’t hesitate to let me know. It is an honor to hold ten years worth of life’s ups and downs together with this community, and I look forward to whatever life brings us next.