Heading North: Engaging in conversation with the Aroostook Cluster

Having traveled to the County for Holy Week and Easter, a different sort of visit, Gretchen and I returned to the County the weekend of October 10 – 11 for an official visit. We left Portland on Friday and drove north through lowering fall skies. We made very good time and arrived at the home of Bob and Thelma Smith in time for me to meet with Bob and prepare for the weekend. Then we joined all the clergy and some spouses for dinner at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center.

One of my objectives was to have private time with each of the clergy, so much of the weekend was given over to those conversations. I deeply appreciate the willingness of the clergy to make time in their schedules and to bring me up to speed on their lives and ministries. It was truly sacred time.

Saturday afternoon, I met with the Cluster Council – consisting of members of the five parishes of the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster – and we had some of the frankest conversation I’ve yet had with congregational leadership. The declining economy of Maine is deeply felt in Aroostook County, and several of the congregations are feeling small and old. One, at least, is worried about closing, and we had good conversation about worship, ministry and buildings. These conversations will need to continue, but I think we made important first steps.

It’s hard in the midst of all the challenges are churches are facing not to think that we are doing something wrong, that we’ve failed. But the fact is that the world has changed, and our expectations about how to be church must change as well. We’ve not done a bad job. Rather, we must find new ways to meet the challenges of our time. It’s hard to let go of the way we’ve done things for so long and to consider new ways of being church. I suspect this is the particular task of our day.

On Sunday, all of the congregations of the County met at St. John’s, Presque Isle, for worship. With so many folks in one place, we had a glorious service with special music and a grand lunch. After time for a few bites, we joined in conversation about youth ministry, about concerns in the cluster, and about General Convention. A good morning.

We stayed another night in the County to have opportunity for further conversation with clergy and families. On Monday (Columbus Day) we were up early to get home, but the traffic was so heavy that it took most of the day to return. And we dawdled a bit on the way. The skies had a winterish look… but it didn’t snow.

+Steve

Finding my way around the County over Holy Week and Easter

The life of a bishop really slows down during late Advent and in Holy Week. Parishes are completely and properly focused on their liturgical life, and no one has much time to consult with, let alone visit with, a bishop. The flow of e-mail slows, the phone stops ringing, and it gets very quiet at Loring House.

Having experienced the slowdown last Advent, I decided to spend Holy Week and Easter in Aroostook County. With the generous invitation and support of the Rev. Bob and Thelma Smith, I left for the County following the Clergy Renewal of Vows and Chrism Mass at St. Patrick’s, Brewer. Over the next five days I had the opportunity to worship and preach in each of the five congregations, most of them twice. I won’t describe here each of those services or try to thank all of the folks who so warmly welcomed and accompanied me. But I do want to share some of what I learned from that time.

It was wonderful to celebrate the services of Holy Week. Having spent the past eight years out of parish ministry, it was refreshing to be part of that rhythm again. And I enjoyed both the several Prayerbook services and the Good Friday ecumenical service in Caribou.

Meeting people before and after worship, sharing a Bible study and informal meals is a very different experience than a parish visitation. The formal expectations, the serious conversations with Vestries, the question and answer periods are replaced by casual and friendly chat. I learned a great deal about people and communities that I wouldn’t have otherwise have learned, and folks saw me differently as well.

The extended time in one place allowed for relaxed time with the clergy and for some touring the countryside and, even, for a long walk. Again, a different way of learning about people and places.

I returned home Easter afternoon both tired and refreshed, with a renewed appreciation for our state and church. I now can find my way around the County. And I know a number of faithful Mainers much better. I think it would be a good idea to do this sort of visiting in another part of the state before too long.

+Stephen