RagsToRich(mond)

 

NOTE:  This is the fourth in a series of articles about Battle Creek (Michigan, USA) area churches.   The author, Jim Richmond, is former Vice President of the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and past president of the Battle Creek Community Foundation, and Frey Foundation.  He is semiretired, writing and doing fundraising/marketing for things he cares about in life.  Richmond can be contacted at: jmadisonrichmond@gmail.com

 

 

‘Awestruck’ Evening at First Congregational Church

 

By Jim Richmond

 

“My God, I used to take care of his kids!,” Laurie Macon, a northside neighbor of long ago, said, giving me a hug before the simple dinner that preceded the “Awestruck Service” last night in the dramatic, embracing circle sanctuary at First Congregational (United Church of Christ) Church near downtown  Battle Creek.

 

I hadn’t intended to go to Church, but a friend, John Wright, called, wanting me to see his horses,  and then  go to Congregational  for the service (“Hey, it’s different. You’ll like it.”).

 

I’d never been in First Congregational – always thinking it was part of the big, stuffy, old line, conservative and all-white churches half ringing the northside of Battle Creek.

I was mistaken:  it is warm, engaging, inspiritational and (I don’t think the Lord would mind), fun.

 

Not too long ago, First Congregational added this expansive indoor meeting space, that’s more like eating in an open air courtyard – and that’s where we had a simple buffet dinner – quietly served and bussed by church members including, I noticed, a retired BC mayor and his wife,  and another couple who are both architects and historical preservation buffs.

 

“People from all over town go here on Wednesday nights.  If you like a contemporary service, and are inclusive, open minded -- this is a great place to be” my friend John commented, as we ate chicken, mash potatoes, gravy and cold slaw on paper plates, and as I gawked around at people in the Church courtyard, and the multi-story glass ceiling, which seemed to stretch into the night sky.

 

Rubber necking a bit, I see Donna and Jack Gray at another table, Marie Ptacin, Clare and Tom Ott, Nancy and Chris Schweitzer, Lauren Sackrider – and many other young and old time Battle Creek “suspects” – people known to quietly lead and support such efforts as Battle Creek’s Nursing Clinic (for the homeless), South Central Michigan Music Center, Habitat for Humanity,  Substance Abuse Council, Alano Club, the tutoring program at Ann J. Kellogg School, the Battle Creek Community Foundation, JONAH, and other civic projects. 

 

AT 6:30, we strolled into the adjoining, circular church sanctuary, open at its center, and which seats about 250 people in comfortable, stair-stepped concentric rings of pews.

 

The Wednesday night “Awestruck” Service was established by church members and Associate Pastor Leah Robberts-Mosser about 18 months ago, part of the Church’s evident journey to examine religious mission, membership and community outreach.

 

Wednesday night is different from Sunday morning service at First Congregational, which evidently has a more traditional liturgy and overall feel.

 

 ‘We wanted this (Wednesday) to be a special night when we eat, pray and worship together,” Associate Pastor Leah said.

 

Four teams of FCC members rotate in planning the Wednesday services, selecting the evening’s liturgy, reading, and music around a particular theme. 

 

Last night’s music was inspirational, lively and uplifting, featuring a small, enthusiastic choir (dressed very casually like everyone else in blue jeans, Dockers and sweaters, it seemed) and an unusual blend of live music, musicians and instruments.

 

Pastor Leah talked on Apostle Paul’s message to The Philippians.  There was an intimate breaking and sharing of bread and wine, by all, in the center of the sanctuary. 

 

And at the end, we all went down to the sanctuary’s center again, to link hands, sing, celebrate the Lord, and also wish Pastor Leah, her husband David, and family “Godspeed” as they relocate to another Church in Illinois.

 

A lot of my stereotypes about downtown churches got broken at First Congregational last night during its Awestruck Service.

 

Walking out of the sanctuary, I found myself humming the melody and the lyrics to one of the evening’s hymns:

 

“Close as tomorrow the sun shall appear.

Freedom is coming and healing is near.

And I shall be with you in laughter and pain

To stand in the wind and walk in the reign”.