Rev. Lyn’s - Plumb Line

Many years ago before I became a minister,  I lived in a town that had quite a number of Mormon families, and I got to know some of them quite well.  From them I learned that Mormons tithe; that is, they give ten per cent of their gross income to their church each year.  In each home they also were expected to store a year’s supply of food, to be used for whoever might be having hard financial times and was in need of help. 

Once I lent some space in my basement freezer to a freezer-less Mormon family who lived across the street.  They were hit with a job lay-off and health issues, and their Mormon community was giving them large roasts of poultry, beef and pork, ten pound bags of hamburger, large freezer bags of vegetables and fruits – all temporarily stored in my basement.  I was amazed at the generosity, without fail, that they gave to that family.  And, I knew that their frozen food donations were most likely only a small part of what they were doing for them.

As a lay person in my own home UU church, I had witnessed  its struggles to meet its budget each year.  And so I asked one of the givers of this largesse what she and her family had to give up in order to tithe at her church, and then in order to still give so generously at other times.  She looked at me quizzically, as if she didn’t understand the question.   “I don’t believe I and my family deny ourselves anything,” she answered.  “Instead, I feel that my life has been incredibly enriched by all that I give.” 

Aha!  What an attitude!  Giving to their church was not considered in terms of a weighing in of people’s personal opinions of what money may or may not be enough for a church, of how much they should or could spare to give to their church.  Giving to them was a means to their own enrichment, their own spiritual growth, their own fulfillment, and, yes, their own happiness.   Giving in that spirit makes the giver feel good, I could see on the cheerful, shining faces of those Mormons who would troop into my basement and fill up my freezer for the family across the street.

I thought at the time - if I could ever embrace their theology, I could see myself very much attracted to a community that shone like that, that lived out their stewardship like that.  But – why should I even have to consider switching my church affiliation in the first place?  Why could not my own UU church embrace such an attitude?   Why did it struggle each year to make its pledge drive funds at least cover a church’s basic needs?

And so, I ask you the same, as we “Honor our heritage and forge our future,”  as our theme this year proclaims.    What enriches you the most at this UU church?  What makes you feel most alive, most joy-filled in all that you do and receive here at First Parish?  What are you willing to give to continue having those experiences, to radiate that shining light on your faces, and on those of others?    How can giving until  it feels good ensure that there will be an abundance in our church coffers that can enable us all to feel good about who we are and what is most important to us? 

  Peace & blessings.

      Rev. Lyn

This will be my second and final  year (August ‘09 – June ’10) as the interim minister here at First Parish Church in Beverly.  The congregation and I are working together during this transition time between settled ministers in order to hone its effectiveness, strengthen its structure and enliven its enthusiasm for its future.  Tasks that are moving along very well!

Having served churches either as a settled minister or interim minister in Massachusetts, New York, Florida and Virginia, I come with many years experience in ministry.   And, I can say quite readily that I find this church to be one with many gifts, much vitality and more than enough wisdom, dedication and genuine care and concern for all and sundry, both for those within the congregation and in the larger world as well.  Also, it has a lively sense of humor, a saving grace on many an occasion!   It is a great pleasure working with them, and I feel that this church has much to offer any newcomer, whatever age or stage of life one may be in.

I know this congregation can do quite well with its new settled minister, which it plans to have on board in the late summer of 2010.