This past week brought my first “twofer” – two visitations in a single week. Both took place along the 302 corridor, north and west of Portland, in congregations that are experiencing growth.
On Wednesday, we joined with the Rt. Rev. John Smith and the people of St. Peter’s, Bridgton. It was our first visit to St. Peter’s new church. St. Peter’s worshiped for a number of years in the local Methodist Church. The congregation has experienced steady growth since it announced its intention to build four years ago. The growth has accelerated in the new church. The worship space is an open, multi-purpose room with beautiful light and views of the surrounding woods.
Gretchen and I arrived in time for a light supper and conversation with the Vestry. (Actually Gretchen was whisked a way for a quick tour of the community and supper at a local diner. Gretchen and I are fans of diners.) The Vestry and I spoke of the experience of moving to a new place and the happy problem of managing growth. St. Peter’s has just added parking and has room to expand its building if necessary. The major part of our conversation had to do with mission opportunities and expanding ministry to the community.
I then got to meet with candidates for reception and confirmation. The worship was a joyful affair punctuated by lively singing. A reception followed. Then all headed home in the fading light.
On Sunday, we went back out 302 to St. Ann’s, Windham. Rector Tim Higgins and Deacon Wendy Rozene greeted us at the door and led us through a packed morning.
The first item on the agenda was a meeting with the 19 candidates for confirmation and reception! Most were from St. Ann’s, but we were happy to welcome a couple from St. Matthew’s, Hallowell. We had a great time sharing stories about how we got to this day. Everyone told a different, and often moving, story of a journey in faith that led to the decision to seek confirmation or reception. It’s been my experience that there’s always a story to tell, that the decision to come forward is always part of a process.
We then joined for a energetic service. As each of the candidates came forward, I invited friends and family from the congregation to stand with them. That made for a very moving service, even as it required some complicated stage directions. St. Ann’s is bursting at the seams. Every space is used and filled to capacity. The Rector and Vestry are holding wide-ranging discussions about the urgent need for more space. Suggestions range from using the space more often and in different configurations to building temporary space to expanding the church. The parking lot has recently been paved and that has encouraged more participation. St. Ann’s has added 20+ households in the last year or so.
The service was followed by a standing room only reception, and then a meeting with the Vestry. Topics ranged from managing growth to issues in the Anglican Communion. The Vestry is clearly considering every option for dealing with the need for space. Our conversation was probing and wide-ranging.
As we were preparing to leave, I had an opportunity to visit the Memorial Garden. At St. Ann’s this is a large, landscaped space with a lovely view of the rolling hillsides and it offered a brief time for meditation after a very full morning.
