March 2024

After flying into Providence, Rhode Island, the evening before, I made my way to Taunton, Massachusetts, to visit West Congregational Church (#57). I appreciated the lively conversation with several members of this congregation, which joined the NACCC in 2021. In addition to the meetinghouse, the oldest church building in town, their campus comprises a former store that houses church offices and classroom space, a fellowship hall, a residential duplex, and an outdoor pavilion. The congregation was expecting 70 – 100 men people for a Palm Sunday weekend breakfast and worship service attended by Congregationalists in the region. Since the retirement of their longtime pastor, they have welcomed many area clergy and lay leaders to their pulpit.

I then headed southeast to Cape Cod to spend time with members of the First Congregational Church of Yarmouth. While #58 on the Listening Tour, this church, founded in 1639, is #7 after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. During a roundtable discussion, some leaders of boards and committees introduced themselves as a “wash ashore.” This allusion to debris that the ocean delivers to beaches describes people not born on the Cape. Their diverse backgrounds provide for meaningful theological dialogue and illuminate the congregation’s generosity of spirit. Describing themselves as a “tithing church,” the congregation raises money for community agencies through, among other initiatives, a popular thrift shop and a weekly spaghetti dinner during Lent, a meal and time of fellowship, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Members anticipated a sermon on Zechariah on Sunday. Their minister is preaching on every book of the Bible in sequential order.

On Saturday, March 9, I returned to Rhode Island to celebrate the 175^th anniversary of Riverpoint Congregational Church (#59) in West Warwick. The meaningful worship service replicated the 100^th-anniversary observance. The Rev. Gail Mills opened the service by reading excerpts from the church’s history and impact on the local community and preached a sermon emphasizing the importance of outreach. I was pleased to read a page from the church’s file in our national office appointing R. Vaughn Abercrombie as a delegate to the Council of  Concern held at the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit, Michigan, in 1955 to participate in the formation of a “national Association of Congregational Christian Churches.” Guests from the Northeast Fellowship of Congregational Christian Churches attended the joyful gathering. Over a sumptuous dinner, individuals representing many decades of membership reminisced and perused tables with myriad artifacts.

I was welcomed to the First Congregational Church of Fall River, Massachusetts (#60) on Sunday, March 10. Before the service, Rev. Andrew Stinson gave me a tour of the expansive building dedicated in 1913. It includes a gymnasium used by more than 20 groups each week for basketball; the church offers free yoga classes twice a week. He introduced me to their new religious education coordinator, who showed me artwork depicting scriptural messages created by children and their teachers. Andy reflected on collaborations with local partners, highlighting a coat drive with the United Way that engaged students from a nearby school. During the fellowship hour following the uplifting worship service, members told me about a monthly dinner for mothers. Many looked forward to an upcoming Lenten retreat, joining with Baptist church members at a nearby abbey.

After three days in the office, I flew to Wichita, Kansas, where I stayed for five nights and visited several churches within a 90-minute drive of the city.

On Friday morning, I drove north to get acquainted with the First Congregational Church of Emporia (#61). With enthusiastic dedication, the members described the impact their baby closet is having on the local community. 74 families received clothing, diapers, wipes, and toys in the past four days. The church partners with several local agencies to meet this critical need. On Sunday mornings, they are blessed with a choir of Baptists and Congregationalists, who sing weekly at both churches. After our gathering adjourned, several people headed out to a Lenten lunch hosted by the ministerial alliance. At the same time, the minister and moderator gave me a tour. In the narthex, I admired a dollhouse-like church used for offerings during the pandemic. The chancel features special overhead lighting with colors that complement the liturgical calendar.

I then journeyed west to Hutchinson, aka “Hutch,” where my hosts treated me to a tour of the Cosmosphere, an extensive space museum that draws worldwide visitors. The First Congregational Church of Hutchinson (#62) building was constructed in the early 1970s as a single-story structure to be accessible and accommodating. The floor plan is one of many ways this congregation lives out its moniker “A Soft Place To Land.” Symbolically, the trustees meet at a board table at the back of the sanctuary, visibly connecting worldly concerns to spiritual ones. As we walked down the hallway, we paused at a colorful map of missions supported by the congregation. Many are NACCC’s global mission partners. Others, such as a school in Haiti, originated because of a personal connection from a community member. It was delightful to socialize informally in the gymnasium before hearing about the congregation’s recent history, including the reception of new members. A pizza dinner nourished us to play various games with more chances to interact.

Midday on Saturday, I was greeted at the hotel to accompany Pastor Craig and Carol Reynolds to Sedgwick. Although less than 25 miles from the city, this community of 1600 has a distinctively different vibe than the city. A delicious lunch at the Meeting House, a non-profit coffee shop supported by local churches, preceded a pleasant walk to Plymouth Congregational Church (#63). The church was founded in 1872, the same year as the city, by a Vermonter on the hunt for his brother-in-law, who had absconded with his family’s cash. A direct descendant of the church’s founder was part of our gathering. The fellowship hall and sanctuary were adorned with paintings and collages created by members. During Lent, Pastor Craig adds another symbol from the passion narrative to the chancel each week. I left with a coin in my pocket commemorating Jesus’ journey to the cross.

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February 2024

After a hiatus in January, I resumed the Listening Tour, heading northwest by car on February 7. My first stop in 2024 was Trinity Congregational Church in Adams, Wisconsin (#55), in the middle of the state. My neighbor had told me that some refer to the area as Adams-Friendship, combining two contiguous towns. While my visit was explicitly to Adams, I discovered a spirit of friendship among the members and friends of the congregation. I chatted informally with individuals who lingered after a weekly bible study before a roundtable conversation about possibilities for the future. They use the term “lighthouse effect” to portray their presence locally, radiating the light of Christ to their community in service to the country and the Lord. Enthusiasm heightened as they recalled past hymn sings and collaborations with other churches and considered how to extend hospitality in the months ahead. 

After staying overnight in St. Paul, Minnesota, I met the Rev. Beth Faeth, minister of congregational life at Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, for lunch. We reflected on current activities in the NACCC and Plymouth’s outreach to the city. 

That evening, I joined the members of St. Croix United Church in Bayport (#56) for coffee and heart-shaped cookies. While I had visited the church building before, this was my first meeting with this newly formed congregation with roots in two predecessor churches: People’s Congregational Church of Bayport and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Stillwater. The nascent congregation is dually affiliated with the NACCC and the United Church of Christ. Exhibiting dedicated intentionality, the members of this new congregation embody innovation. For instance, they scheduled an Ash Thursday service on February 15 to separate it from Valentine’s Day. During the warmer months, they will uphold a longstanding tradition of worshipping outdoors. 

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December 2023

On the first Sunday of Advent, December 3, the First Congregational Church of Mansfield, Ohio (#50) welcomed me. The evening before, I had fun catching up with Ellen Stiffler, daughter of Joe Polhemus, longtime editor of The Congregationalist, and her husband, Ted. We laughed about the Elvis impersonator who was part of the Host Committee entertainment at the 1991 AMC in Seattle (my first AMC when I graduated from CFTS).

I was honored to participate in the Advent candle lighting liturgy and assist with serving communion at the 8:30 and 10:30 am services. A seminar between the worship hours occasioned thoughtful dialogue. They have embarked on strategic planning and are exploring new ways to reach out to their neighbors. We discussed the metaphor of the clear windows in the newly renovated Blymer Hall, signifying a connection to the community. With delight, members shared ways that the congregation lives out their motto, “We don’t think for you; we care for you.”

That evening, I gathered with a dozen members of Heritage Congregational Church in Berea (#51). The lively group of primarily longtime members had terrific stories of congregational life, including how they invited (borrowed? stole?) children to participate in the Christmas play written by a church member. The diversity in the congregation reflects the diversity of the surrounding community. They participate in several efforts to overcome food insecurity. They open their doors to many local initiatives. The church is a polling location; voters come early to buy bake sale goodies before they sell out! A spaghetti dinner raises funds for a local mentoring organization, Boys2Men, Inc. Through a partnership with the Kiwanis Club, members make unique mats from recycled plastic bags for homeless people.

In addition, the congregation is renowned as a praying church. In-person and online, their circle encompasses the concerns of individuals around the country and the world.

It was not hard to see why this small but mighty church is known for its hospitality!

On Wednesday, December 6, I journeyed east to Columbiana to visit Grace Church (#52). Lisa Bircher, the interim lay leader enrolled in the NACCC Lay Ministry Training Program, gave me a tour of this community with characteristics reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting. We visited shops on Main Street within sight of the historic church building.

After a building tour, I met with about twenty members interested in learning more about the NACCC and reflecting on their past, present, and future. I heard about a note-writing ministry that extends across state lines. A highlight of the year is the annual chicken BBQ, a favorite feature of the street fair.

Members brought angels to the Women’s Guild Christmas party and told stories of why they treasured them. We then had an uproarious time trying to keep up with an edited reading of the nativity story while passing presents left and right!

Thursday, December 7, I traveled to Lawrenceville Community Church (#53). This village west of Springfield is in a fast-growing region between Columbus and Dayton. I spent a leisurely afternoon chatting around a locally crafted table with Art & Nancy Thibeault and Seth Evans. After serving for over two decades, Art became Pastor Emeritus in October 2022. Pastor Seth, who has ties to the community and the church, enjoys a collegial relationship with the Thibeaults.

While listening to remarkable stories of generosity and compassion, I chuckled at their nickname, the hot dog church, a moniker that speaks to the hearty treat they offer on Halloween night. Their approach to choosing liturgists is noteworthy. Slips of paper indicating different parts of the worship are left on a table. Parishioners pick them up as they enter the sanctuary and provide the reading or prayer. Only occasionally has Pastor Seth sweated about whether all parts of the service would be covered. Maybe one day, he’ll dare to include the sermon as one of the options!

My week concluded at Gahanna Community Congregational Church (#54), where I drove down Oak Creek Lane (coincidentally named after the city where the NACCC office is?) to get to the parking lot. The church has an extensive front lawn where members worship several times each year. It was a treat to see the community garden depicted in The Congregationalist and the topic of an AMC workshop a few years ago. The garden produced 1300 pounds of food for GRIN (Gahanna Residents in Need). The number of servings that amount of food provides varies based on what is produced. A pound of kale generates more portions than a pound of cauliflower.

Rev. Robb Tarr showed me the interior of the building. Built by members with their own hands in the late 1960s, it is also the site of outreach. An East African congregation gathers there a couple times a month. On Thursdays, Goodwill brings volunteers with special needs to assist with gardening and crafts projects. Many members participate in a ministry of correspondence with women in prison.

The finale of my week in Ohio was the Christmas musical, “Together for Christmas.” This annual event is a high point of the year for the church – humorous scenes mixed with familiar and fun music. The lively production draws people from miles away!

As a complement to the Listening Tour visits, I attended three Advent events in the Milwaukee area. Newly ordained Rev. Tesha Urban led a meaningful longest night service at First Congregational Church of Wauwatosa. I had a blast at Faith Community Church in Franklin at the interactive Stellar Christmas (an out-of-this-world worship event). Midweek Manna at North Shore Congregational Church is where I worship most frequently. The last service of 2023 included a whistling solo of “Away in a Manger.”

As Epiphany approaches, what new light will Congregational churches radiate in 2024?

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November 2023

I spent the first weekend of November in La Mesa, California, just outside San Diego. On Saturday, November 4, the Cal West Association host minister and moderator, Rev. Scott Archer, completed his term with a day made extra delightful by a youth rally, delicious Tijuana tacos, and music from the First Samoan Congregational Church of San Diego. The next morning, I worshipped at Central Congregational Church of La Mesa (#48) and admired the elegant blend of traditional organ and contemporary music. Like many NACCC churches, the congregation shares the sacrament of communion on the first Sunday of the month. The fellowship hour following the service included a baby shower for a child whose due date was a couple days earlier. Before worship, Pastor Scott gave me a tour of the building, which has served the congregation and local community for over a century. 

First Congregational Church of Royal Oak, Michigan (#49) welcomed me with open arms on Sunday, November 12. As it was Veterans Day weekend, a video slideshow of veterans associated with the congregation across the decades was playing in the narthex. Tributes to those who have served our nation were incorporated into the service musically, homiletically, and with a letter from a longtime member. That afternoon, the congregation and guests gathered for the installation of the Rev. J. Christopher Kurtz. I was honored to provide the sermon for a beautifully planned service that included memorable music and a signing by Jamie Kurtz. Michigan colleagues, the Rev. Charles Packer and the Rev. Joel Boyd, offered the charge to the congregation and extended the right hand of fellowship. 

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October 2023

Saturday, October 14, brought a leisurely visit to the Second Congregational Church of Biddeford, Maine (#40). The members, led by Rev. Cat Anglea, minister to the community by opening their space to addiction recovery groups and Bon Appetit, which provides dinners for 50-100 people on weeknights. On Saturday mornings, volunteers of all ages pick up trash in the town. A highlight of the year is Kids’ Shopping Day. Children can select items for their parents and others to discover the joy of giving. Our delicious soup lunch was graced with the youngest and oldest members of the congregation, spanning over 90 years in age.

On Sunday, October 15, I worshipped at the Second Congregational Church of Warren, Maine (#41). Following worship, we enjoyed beef stew with homemade yeast rolls and a selection of fall desserts, including pumpkin cake. Yum. During lunch, pictures of recent events scrolled on a television screen. The church takes pride in flowers and landscaping that complement recent improvements on the exterior and interior. Rev. Bette Bond and I made the short, uphill walk to a converted building behind the Baptist church. There, we visited a clothes closet, well-stocked with laundered garments available for free to local families. Displays included Halloween and Christmas attire and a fun tiger hat costume. Congregationalists and Baptists look forward to a shared Thanksgiving Eve worship service, one of many ecumenical collaborations in Warren.

Tuesday morning, October 17 (#42), I was in western Massachusetts. Robbins Memorial Congregational Church, an expansive Tudor structure, was preparing for pie sales. Members reminisced about selling pies at the fair years ago. On Sunday, they observed Pastor Appreciation Month by surprising clergy members of the congregation with a cake.

After a drive along the Mohawk Trail, I found myself at White Oaks Congregational Church (#43) in Williamstown, Massachusetts. I was ninety minutes early and was welcomed inside for freshly baked shortbread and tea with the moderator and pastor. Later, we were joined by other members. The church has experienced several deaths in recent years. It has carved out a unique ministry of providing storage and finding new homes for household items following those losses. Members were looking forward to an upcoming bazaar with a pancake breakfast.

On October 18, I spent a couple hours with leaders at First Congregational Church in Westfield, Massachusetts (#44). I enjoyed hearing about an upcoming Halloween party for EVERYONE – kid-friendly food, candy, and games for all ages. A significant outreach to the community is the Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe, occupying an adjacent building with rooms designated for books, household items, clothing, and more! A walk through the historic meetinghouse included a stroll through the balcony with impressive views of the pews and chancel. Windows at the front of the church provide a prime vantage point for looking out on the town square.

Friday, October 20, carried me along winding roads to our newest (provisional) member church, Hadlyme Congregational Church in East Haddam, Connecticut (#45). Founded in 1742, this rural congregation calls itself the “small church with a big heart.” It comprises individuals who have been members for over eighty years, following in their parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps, and members who are new to the community or held membership in other historically Congregational churches in the area. The members enjoy fellowship and coffee after every service. I enjoyed homemade pie with freshly whipped cream – comfort food in good company on a rainy afternoon.

Florence Congregational Church in Massachusetts (#46) welcomed me on October 22 for one of their traditional worship services, held twice a month in conjunction with a restart. In collaboration with the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, the church is planning a performance and discussion of the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Music for that occasion was a distinctive offering during the service. The sermon and liturgy acknowledged the conflict and crisis in the Middle East, with concern expressed for the Jewish congregation that worships in the same space. Longtime – and new – church members reflected on the strength of their relationships with one another and the clergy who have blessed them in the past and present.

Back home in Wisconsin, I worshipped with St. Jacobi Congregational Church in Richfield (#47) on October 29. This church, founded in 1851, joins other congregations and the fire department for fundraising breakfasts. Their minister, Jerry Eisner, is a graduate of the Lay Ministry Training Program. Beautiful banners made by a member of the church grace the walls of the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Like the Hadlyme congregation, this church in farm country rejoices in its identity as a “little church with a big heart.”

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September 2023

Saturday, September 23, 2023
A flight to San Jose carried me to my first two stops in California. I enjoyed a pleasant midday conversation at the home of Pastor Ella Ray Toscano, whose congregation, New Pilgrim Fellowship of Rio Vista (#38) worships in an American Legion Hall. She also shares God’s Word through a weekly print column in the local newspaper.

The Congregational Church of Soquel (#39) lives out their commitment to the local community in distinctive ways. An ecumenical ministry providing showers to people in need occupies members on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The annual Taste of Soquel fills the church courtyard with music, food, and drink donated by local performers and businesses. I had fun serving chips and salsa and cheered with 400 other attendees when we learned that $13,000 was raised, enabling the local Second Harvest organization to serve 39,000 meals.

Back to the main Listening Tour page.

As of July 1, 2022, the NACCC comprises 312 congregations and 28,715 church members. Our former Executive Director, Ashley Cleere, kicked off an Executive Director Listening Tour with the charge to visit as many NACCC churches possible in the span of three years.

Revisit all the churches that were part of the Listening Tour: who they are, where they are, and how they live out the Congregational Way.

Listening Tour Statistics and Fun Facts

Churches visited: 65
States visited: 18 –  Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Kansas, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin

March 2024

After flying into Providence, Rhode Island, the evening before, I made my way to Taunton, Massachusetts, to visit West Congregational Church (#57). I appreciated the lively conversation with several members of this congregation, which joined the NACCC in 2021. In addition to the meetinghouse, the oldest church building in town, their campus comprises a former store that houses church offices and classroom space, a fellowship hall, a residential duplex, and an outdoor pavilion. The congregation was expecting 70 – 100 men people for a Palm Sunday weekend breakfast and worship service attended by Congregationalists in the region. Since the retirement of their longtime pastor, they have welcomed many area clergy and lay leaders to their pulpit.

I then headed southeast to Cape Cod to spend time with members of the First Congregational Church of Yarmouth. While #58 on the Listening Tour, this church, founded in 1639, is #7 after the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. During a roundtable discussion, some leaders of boards and committees introduced themselves as a “wash ashore.” This allusion to debris that the ocean delivers to beaches describes people not born on the Cape. Their diverse backgrounds provide for meaningful theological dialogue and illuminate the congregation’s generosity of spirit. Describing themselves as a “tithing church,” the congregation raises money for community agencies through, among other initiatives, a popular thrift shop and a weekly spaghetti dinner during Lent, a meal and time of fellowship, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Members anticipated a sermon on Zechariah on Sunday. Their minister is preaching on every book of the Bible in sequential order.

On Saturday, March 9, I returned to Rhode Island to celebrate the 175^th anniversary of Riverpoint Congregational Church (#59) in West Warwick. The meaningful worship service replicated the 100^th-anniversary observance. The Rev. Gail Mills opened the service by reading excerpts from the church’s history and impact on the local community and preached a sermon emphasizing the importance of outreach. I was pleased to read a page from the church’s file in our national office appointing R. Vaughn Abercrombie as a delegate to the Council of  Concern held at the Hotel Fort Shelby in Detroit, Michigan, in 1955 to participate in the formation of a “national Association of Congregational Christian Churches.” Guests from the Northeast Fellowship of Congregational Christian Churches attended the joyful gathering. Over a sumptuous dinner, individuals representing many decades of membership reminisced and perused tables with myriad artifacts.

I was welcomed to the First Congregational Church of Fall River, Massachusetts (#60) on Sunday, March 10. Before the service, Rev. Andrew Stinson gave me a tour of the expansive building dedicated in 1913. It includes a gymnasium used by more than 20 groups each week for basketball; the church offers free yoga classes twice a week. He introduced me to their new religious education coordinator, who showed me artwork depicting scriptural messages created by children and their teachers. Andy reflected on collaborations with local partners, highlighting a coat drive with the United Way that engaged students from a nearby school. During the fellowship hour following the uplifting worship service, members told me about a monthly dinner for mothers. Many looked forward to an upcoming Lenten retreat, joining with Baptist church members at a nearby abbey.

After three days in the office, I flew to Wichita, Kansas, where I stayed for five nights and visited several churches within a 90-minute drive of the city.

On Friday morning, I drove north to get acquainted with the First Congregational Church of Emporia (#61). With enthusiastic dedication, the members described the impact their baby closet is having on the local community. 74 families received clothing, diapers, wipes, and toys in the past four days. The church partners with several local agencies to meet this critical need. On Sunday mornings, they are blessed with a choir of Baptists and Congregationalists, who sing weekly at both churches. After our gathering adjourned, several people headed out to a Lenten lunch hosted by the ministerial alliance. At the same time, the minister and moderator gave me a tour. In the narthex, I admired a dollhouse-like church used for offerings during the pandemic. The chancel features special overhead lighting with colors that complement the liturgical calendar.

I then journeyed west to Hutchinson, aka “Hutch,” where my hosts treated me to a tour of the Cosmosphere, an extensive space museum that draws worldwide visitors. The First Congregational Church of Hutchinson (#62) building was constructed in the early 1970s as a single-story structure to be accessible and accommodating. The floor plan is one of many ways this congregation lives out its moniker “A Soft Place To Land.” Symbolically, the trustees meet at a board table at the back of the sanctuary, visibly connecting worldly concerns to spiritual ones. As we walked down the hallway, we paused at a colorful map of missions supported by the congregation. Many are NACCC’s global mission partners. Others, such as a school in Haiti, originated because of a personal connection from a community member. It was delightful to socialize informally in the gymnasium before hearing about the congregation’s recent history, including the reception of new members. A pizza dinner nourished us to play various games with more chances to interact.

Midday on Saturday, I was greeted at the hotel to accompany Pastor Craig and Carol Reynolds to Sedgwick. Although less than 25 miles from the city, this community of 1600 has a distinctively different vibe than the city. A delicious lunch at the Meeting House, a non-profit coffee shop supported by local churches, preceded a pleasant walk to Plymouth Congregational Church (#63). The church was founded in 1872, the same year as the city, by a Vermonter on the hunt for his brother-in-law, who had absconded with his family’s cash. A direct descendant of the church’s founder was part of our gathering. The fellowship hall and sanctuary were adorned with paintings and collages created by members. During Lent, Pastor Craig adds another symbol from the passion narrative to the chancel each week. I left with a coin in my pocket commemorating Jesus’ journey to the cross.

On Sunday, another Congregationalist picked me up at my hotel to travel to another Plymouth Congregational Church in Wichita (#64), the site of the communion service at the 2022 annual meeting and conference. In anticipation of Rev. Don Olsen’s retirement in June 2025, the Transition Committee posted comments from focus group discussions around the sanctuary, another example (like Hutch) of connecting the church’s work to worship. That evening, I attended “A Taste of Ireland,” one of three events held each year as part of a Fine Arts Series. While listening to an Irish band, we feasted on Guinness stew and whiskey carrots. One soloist, the associate minister, Rev. Karen Robu, also auctioned desserts to raise money to support fine arts events.

Plymouth collaborates with the University Congregational Church (#65) in Wichita for special events such as Vacation Bible School and artistic performances. Founded in 1983, it is one of the youngest congregations in the NACCC. Their choir includes students from nearby Wichita State University. The Head-To-Toe Hygiene pantry, a prominent mission, supports over 400 families monthly. The eye-catching white brick building has prompted the leadership to make the space available for non-member weddings. I carried home with me a welcome bag. Provided to guests who attend worship, it contained literature about the church, Congregationalism, and some savory homemade jam.

Photos and Notes from Previous Months

July 2022   The Listening Tour kicked off in Maine, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin.
August 2022  Visits in New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin
October 2022 Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin
November & December 2022 Minnesota, Connecticut, New York, Georgia
January, February & March 2023 Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Alaska
April 2023 Back to Michigan
September 2023 California
October 2023 East Coast and back to Wisconsin
November 2023 California to Michigan
December 2023 Ohio and Wisconsin
February 2024 Minnesota
March 2024 From Massachusetts, Rhode Island to Wichita

April 2023

Saturday, April 22, 2023
On Saturday, April 22, First Congregational Church of Detroit (#36) invited me to journey on a flight to freedom in their Underground Railroad Living Museum. The project, launched with a grant in conjunction with the 300^th anniversary of Detroit in 2001, has heightened awareness and fostered community for over twenty years. The congregation transformed the church basement with props and sets depicting a journey from New Orleans to Detroit. Costumed members simulate stops and stations that are so compelling I screamed in fright at one point. With care, they illustrate the courage of people seeking freedom and the risks taken by those who aided them in that quest. The message carries the abolitionist movement of the mid-nineteenth century to the present-day, summoning travelers to seek freedom from whatever oppresses them. Members of First Detroit refer to this ministry, among other outreaches to the city, as their weekday congregation which complements their Sunday worshipping congregation.

First Congregational Church of Rockwood, Michigan, (#37) welcomed me to worship on Sunday morning. It was a joyful day as they received two new disciples into membership. By way of outreach, Pastor Dave Pniewski, relishes the double entendre of a nearby store, Save-A-Lot, where he passes out flyers inviting people to worship. Exquisite woodwork, crafted by a member, graces their modern building which was constructed when urban renewal in 2007 necessitated a move from the center of town. The new location is appealing to deer who often greet worshippers on Sunday morning

Back to the main Listening Tour page.

January 2023

January 22, 2023
On January 22, my first stop in 2023, #29, was Congregational Church in the Valley in Chandler, Arizona. During an omelet buffet breakfast before worship, I met several community leaders, many of whom are members. The church is involved in a Chandler Sister Cities relationship with Tullamore, Ireland. Pastor Victor and Cynthia Hardy, along with other members who serve on the board, were enthusiastic about the Arizona International Film Festival taking place that weekend. The church opens its doors to several local groups, including a Korean congregation who worships there on Sundays and holds Bible studies during the week.

That afternoon, I enjoyed a meal with Rev. Brian and Heather Anderson and Randy and Nancy Asendorf and look forward to worshipping with them at the Congregational Church of Sun City on a future visit. I spent Monday morning with the Rev. Rock Fremont, VP for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the International Council of Community Churches.

February 2023

Sunday, February 26, 2023
Sunday, February 26, was a snowy morning in Spokane. The server in the restaurant at the Centennial Hotel cautioned me to avoid secondary roads. For nearly an hour, with gratitude for four-wheel drive, I maneuvered on the highway, noting how few cars were negotiating the roadways. I pulled off at a rest stop to check a weather app. My destination, Warden, appeared clear, so I continued my journey and encountered clear skies and pavement ten minutes later. 

Warden Community Church (#31) was abuzz with preparations for the potluck that would follow worship. I was introduced to children who clearly love and are loved by their church, including Pastor Ed and Jami Backell’s granddaughter. 

The church is busily preparing for hosting the 2024 annual meeting, which Pastor Ed described in his sermon as a “national potluck.” Perhaps in Spokane, you’ll have the chance to hear him sing “bring the best of what you have” to depict our Association. 

At the moderator’s suggestion, I joined her and Ed in the narthex, shaking hands with each congregation member before we shared the fantastic feast in the fellowship hall. 

From Warden, I made my way to Ingle Chapel in Milton-Freewater (#32), just south of the Washington-Oregon border in a region ideal for growing grapes – wine country. Over cookies and coffee, I learned of the church’s extensive ministry to the community, working with other congregations and a local foundation associated with the local power supply company. They are well-known in town for their annual turkey dinner. Recalling their founding in 1886, the members spoke of endurance that has sustained their church. Noting that “God called Moses at 80,” they have hopes for the future.  

Monday, February 27, 2023
My next scheduled stop, Enterprise Oregon, warranted a phone consultation about weather conditions before the 2 ½ hour journey from Walla Walla, Washington. When I called weeks earlier to make plans, the church clerk advised me to rent a car with four-wheel drive, advice that had already served me well when leaving Spokane. We compared personal comfort levels and weather apps. I confessed to being wimpier than the seasoned Wisconsinite the congregation in Enterprise had thought me to be. Even taking into account cautions from my new friends in Milton-Freewater and another guest at the hotel, I decided to venture over the Tollgate Pass (5000′ above sea level), with its own weather systems. The ride proved to be 40 miles of unforgettable snow-covered beauty. I surrendered to the road, trusted my vehicle, focused on my route, and believed that the God who had created the wonder before me was my companion. The scarcity of cars on the two-lane road mitigated the risk. After leaving the mountain, getting into cell range took me a while. Still, I connected with my host by text, arriving only three minutes later than expected. 

I spent the afternoon touring Enterprise and nearby Joseph, cradled in the stunning Wallowa Mountains. This setting delivered a distinctive learning of the listening tour — where a church is located informs how the people live. My trip over Tollgate Pass, a marvelous adventure for me, is the route to the orthodontist for families in Enterprise.  

Tea with a couple of Rotary Club members at the Bookloft, an independent bookstore that also sells the work of local artists, provided for impromptu conversation. That evening, the church treated me to a delicious chili potluck made with local bison. Enterprise Community Congregational Church (#33) is excited to welcome other Pacific Northwestern Congregationalists in May for the first in-person Association meeting since the pandemic. Like Warden, they are gearing up for 2024 in Spokane.  

Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Proud of myself for my ambitious trek on Monday, Tuesday’s route involved more momentous terrain – through Rattlesnake Canyon. My four-hour trip to Cheney propelled me through snow and pavement, peaks and canyons, touches of black ice, and curving vistas with guard rails appearing as fragile toothpicks amid the hilly expanses. Although I’d heard rich stories and wisdom from the residents of Enterprise, I was unprepared for the indescribable beauty and variety as their prayers carried me north.  

When I arrived in Cheney, the wood frame structure called Cheney Congregational Church (#34) radiates the love of the members who built it. When giving me a tour, the minister, Rev. Matt Goodale, emphasized that the fellowship hour holds high importance in the congregation’s life. The sizeable inviting space oozes hospitality, a bookend to the equally inviting sanctuary. The congregation accommodated Covid precautions by worshiping outdoors in a park. Compelling messages and kind people drew new attendees to worship when they returned indoors. Members of the congregation generously shared hopes and concerns for their church. They posed thoughtful questions about the NACCC as they joined our fold only recently, in 2018. As the closest church to Spokane, they are well-positioned for an immersion course at the “national potluck” next June. 

March 2023

March 1 – 5, 2023
Following an evening flight to Anchorage, our Association Secretary, Kate O’Dell, greeted me at the airport just after midnight.  

Starting with three heavy snowfalls in December, this winter was one of the snowiest in living memory. In Anchorage, people take snow in stride but worry about flooding during “break-up” in spring. Fur Rendezvous, a festival in the days leading up to the famed Iditarod sled dog race, delivers fun all over the city. Members of the First Congregational Church of Anchorage (#35) graciously carried me to events, beginning with the ice sculpture competition. At a melodrama about Alaska, I laughed and got showered with popcorn, which I also threw. At a native arts market, I purchased an Eskimo yoyo from. The woman from Quinhaguk, who crafted the yoyo filled with beans, demonstrate how to play with it.  

On a spontaneous trip to Alyeska, I was awed amid snow-covered mountains. Members who work and study at the University of Anchorage, near the church, gave me a tour. An unexpected treat was watching native dancers perform at a sobriety celebration.  

Lingonberries, currants, and rhubarb from edible landscape on the church property showed up in recipes at the Alaskan-themed potluck on Saturday night. I also sampled moose meatballs and reindeer sausage.  

The Sunday morning worship service was made extra special, with a liturgy installing the Rev. Johnathan Jones as the interim senior minister. The bell choir heightened the joyful occasion.  

As I flew home on a red-eye, I was impressed by how the local in “local church” holds power and authenticity in the Inland Northwest and Alaska. The environments that surround Congregationalists inform who they are and how they dwell in God’s created world.  

Back to the main Listening Tour page.

November & December 2022 

Sunday, November 6
I was honored to worship and receive communion with members of Mendota Heights United Church of Christ (#23), a Minnesota congregation new to the NACCC that recently voted for dissolution at the close of 2022. The contemporary sanctuary, with ample natural light, is graced with stunning banners depicting Christian scenes and symbols. These beautiful pieces of art, stitched by two members, are seeking their next church homes. NACCC congregations are invited to adopt them.

While in the Minneapolis area, I shared meals with ministers from Plymouth Congregational Church and First Congregational Church of New Richland and paid a visit to Meetinghouse Church in Edina where I chatted with their senior minister.

Wednesday, November 16
Dessert and conversation with Connecticut’s North Branford Congregational Church (#24), a provisional member church that will be formally received into the NACCC at the annual meeting in June. A trivia contest introduced interesting historical facts. For instance, centuries ago, a call from the pulpit led 60 men to serve as troops under General George Washington.

The congregation was busily preparing for their annual Holly Fair. Members are growing in faith through a weekly discussion of The Chosen television series. The congregation’s ecumenical outreach efforts include volunteering at a local shelter and providing essential items to individuals released from prison. In December, they will host an ecclesiastical council of the vicinage as a step toward ordination of their preacher.

Friday, November 18
The day started with a ferry ride to Long Island, NY to visit Wading River Congregational Church (#25), another provisional member of the NACCC. Friday is one of the days that the thrift shop is open. Donations of clothing and household items make this resource an expansive effort of the church, involving many volunteers from within and beyond the congregation. Over dessert, they reflected on past experiences in youth ministry and their strong presence in the local community. Recently, the congregation updated the meetinghouse to be more accessible to wheelchairs. As a new member congregation, they were eager to learn more about the NACCC.

In recent decades, both new member churches raised up individuals who were called to seminary and ordination.

Blustery winds on the Connecticut shoreline whooshed in the background as I enjoyed apple cake (more sweets – yum!) with the strategic planning team of Stony Creek Congregational Church (#26). Like their neighbors in North Branford, the church was abuzz with preparation for their holiday fair. The two NACCC congregations planned to encourage fair patrons to attend both events held in the vicinity of one another on the same day.

The congregation collects donations to support a local food pantry and supplies for migrant children and their families. A high point of the year is the community Christmas pageant with seven outdoor nativity scenes and live animals. The strategic planning team reflected on how their outreach engages people in various settings, not necessarily on Sunday morning.

Plymouth Church in Brooklyn, New York (#27) hosted a Saturday night gala harvest celebration as one of many special occasions to mark their 175^th anniversary. Their storied history includes an identity as the “Grand Central Station” of the Underground Railroad. The Plymouth Hymnal which was the first to include words and music on the same. During the COVID-19 lockdown, members wrote essays about Congregationalism as a means of staying connected and compiled them into a book, Fifty Pandemic Blessings.

After extensive commentary on the apple pie baking contest submissions and dancing into the evening, members returned for breakfast and conversation on Sunday morning. Living history is a vital expression of ministry for Plymouth. Their Underground Thrift store shares its proceeds with organizations that fight human trafficking.

At the worship service that followed, I was honored to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for Plymouth at the pulpit where I had served as a seminary intern from 1988-91. My journey to ordination as a CFTS fellow was shaped by Plymouth, a church that is now part of my Listening Tour through the NACCC.

December 4, 2022
December 4 marked the completion of Listening Tour stops for 2022 with worship at the Methodist Congregational Federated Church of Demorest, Georgia (#28), where I have been a member since 1999. The Rev.  Joyce Acree presented me with newspaper clippings celebrating the congregation’s generosity to a local soup kitchen and a free medical clinic. The church, which has close ties to neighboring NACCC-related Piedmont University, was buzzing about the announcement of the new president, Marshall Criser, who begins on January 1, 2023.