On Tuesday night, after a sumptuous feast of lasagna, salad and strawberry shortcake, Tuomi Forrest, Partners for Sacred Places, and Susan Lewis and Peter Heinrichs from Full Harvest Fundraising spoke about the power of a capital campaign to build relationships and strengthen ministries. Broad Bay has been recognized by the National Fund for Sacred Places, a program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
As part of my introduction to their presentation on Tuesday, I shared the following observations.
It was 33 years ago that the Broad Bay Congregational United Church of Christ was welcomed into the United Church of Christ.
It was 15 years ago that the Broad Bay Church purchased the building and walked up the hill carrying the cross and candles. Since then,
We fixed a water line,
Restored an organ,
Decreased the mortgage,
Repaired a roof,
Replaced a chimney,
Painted the fellowship hall,
Renovated the office,
Re-did the side yard walk way,
Fixed the ceiling and painted the walls in the sanctuary.
All this while worshiping weekly, educating our children, and reaching out into the wider community. With virtually every accomplishment, we’ve acted stunned that we pulled it off.
* * * * * * * * * *
In my family, when we did something well and received outside praise, the response was often, “you’ve got them fooled.”
Sometimes I wonder if that is the attitude at this church.
Broad Bay is a poster child for the Parishes of Promise. “Really. You must be mistaken.”
“You are doing such creative ministries.” “They don’t seem creative to me.”
Someone stops me on the sidewalk to say, “You are the community church.” “huh”
At the concert, a community member says, “I am proud of you.” “We just invited people to perform.”
Will you be part of an article on small church vitality? “Yes, but do you really mean us.”
The National Fund, a partnership between Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust for Historical Preservation, chose Broad Bay as one of 14 churches in their inaugural program. They believe strongly enough in us to give us a planning grant, consulting services and a matching grant of up to $250,000. “What in God’s name were they thinking?”
What if we noticed the strengths in our ministries as clearly as the folks from Partners for Sacred Places? What if we really believed we could fix the building and strengthen our community ministries? What if we really believed that our ministry is transforming our lives, the lives of those in our community and reflecting God’s light and love into our world?
revnancyduncan 
GO!, Broad Bay Congregational Church, UCC, GO! Keep up the wonderful inspirational work you are doing!
This is one of, if not the, best writing you have posted. Very, very powerful!! I am sharing it with others.
Peace, Alan
Sent from my iPhone
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Really? Wow? They ask Jesus, “When did we feed you, visit you, do all these things that you mentioned?” His answer is known to us all, something like: “You’ve been generous, compassionate, understanding, interested, committed all kinds of people all the time and you didn’t even notice?” I think it might be a good thing that we must be reminded that we’re often living faithfully–or at least living as though we were committed to being faithful. Living boastfully, we might fall into the trap of pride and arrogance. I had a grandfather who would observe something I did and say, “Gee, you’re as good as you’re cracked up to be.” Humbly, we can accept such wonderful accomplishments as have happened among us as gifts to be enriched and shared as we expand our vision and dare to grow into it. Thanks for Nancy’s leadership and thanks for every single person in the community whose devotion has contributed such strength and joy.
WOW !!!!! What if, indeed……………..such power and affirmation in your message, dear Nancy. Much love and all good wishes for success in this most exciting project.