Weaving Multi-Generational Connections
One of the clearest priorities as I arrived was the need for professional ministry presence with families, youth and children. With Marc in the pulpit nearly every Sunday, and attending to the many pastoral care needs at the later stages of life, there wasn't enough of his time to go around. This meant that with Eleanor's leadership and guidance, the "RE community" had flourished over the past 15 years, yet it lacked integration with the rest of the church.
It has been a pleasure and privilege to build relationship with all ages at Foothills, and to begin to weave connections across the generations. I have spent meaningful time with the youth group talking theology and big life questions, taught middle schoolers and helped with middle school retreats, and been present for and led worship at the annual family retreat at Buckhorn. I have worked with youth on Sunday morning worship services, and I have sat with young parents as they struggled through some of the difficult challenges of parenting and marriage.
In a world that is often fragmented and polarized across difference, our church can offer a powerful alternative - a place where real, deep connections are fostered within diverse community, where we can build the relationships necessary to do the work that can only be done in partnership - passing on wisdom, sharing energy, transforming ourselves and the world.
We are moving our way towards this vision of a truly multi-generational, connected congregation, with all of our community feeling a part of a shared mission and journey of life-long Unitarian Universalist faith. There are many good beginnings, and so much more we might do together - multi-generational small groups and social change, greater integration of children and youth into the Sunday service, intentional leadership development and recruitment of youth into congregational leadership, continued growth and engagement with our campus ministry....and so much more!
It has been a pleasure and privilege to build relationship with all ages at Foothills, and to begin to weave connections across the generations. I have spent meaningful time with the youth group talking theology and big life questions, taught middle schoolers and helped with middle school retreats, and been present for and led worship at the annual family retreat at Buckhorn. I have worked with youth on Sunday morning worship services, and I have sat with young parents as they struggled through some of the difficult challenges of parenting and marriage.
In a world that is often fragmented and polarized across difference, our church can offer a powerful alternative - a place where real, deep connections are fostered within diverse community, where we can build the relationships necessary to do the work that can only be done in partnership - passing on wisdom, sharing energy, transforming ourselves and the world.
We are moving our way towards this vision of a truly multi-generational, connected congregation, with all of our community feeling a part of a shared mission and journey of life-long Unitarian Universalist faith. There are many good beginnings, and so much more we might do together - multi-generational small groups and social change, greater integration of children and youth into the Sunday service, intentional leadership development and recruitment of youth into congregational leadership, continued growth and engagement with our campus ministry....and so much more!