So What Have We Been Doing All These Years ?

We've been talking a lot about the future during our "Year of Decision". As one of the Congregation's leaders, I tend to be future-focused, thinking about the challenges we are facing and how best to confront them. I guess I have been like that throughout my naval career as well.  I push ahead, making decisions as I go along. I am one who tends toward action more than reflection.

Recently, I was reminded by Russ and Beth Milham about the importance of reflection. As we look to find solutions for our current challenges, Russ and Beth reminded me that it is useful to reflect on what has been done in the past. This is useful for two reasons:  (1) because we can learn from previous successes and failures and (2) because our challenges don't really seem so insurmountable when we reflect on how others met and overcame similar ones in the past.

We often talk about the current state of our buildings and the work that needs to be done.  In fact, much work has been done on them in the past. Our Parish Hall, for example, was gutted by fire and restored to its current state, providing us with warm fellowship and meeting space for many years. Our Sanctuary has also undergone major renovations over the years to sustain it as the sacred space we treasure. Many other improvements have been made. Fire and intruder alarms have been installed; spaces have been made more accessible; heating systems have been improved; walls have been painted; floors have been sanded and refinished; exterior structures have been preserved, painted, and added to; carpet has been laid; lighting has been improved; apartments have been maintained, insulation has been installed; roofs have been fixed; drainage has been repaired; and . . . well the list goes on and on.

To achieve much of this in recent years, Channing members raised $200,000 in a capital fund drive in the early 1980's (about $400,000 in today's dollars). This was a singular indication of the commitment of the Congregation at that time to the long-term sustainment of Channing. Much good work was done with these funds, sustaining us until the present day. It is also important to note, however, that much of the work mentioned above was done (and continues to be done) by members of the Congregation, devoting their time and talent to making our spaces more habitable and more welcoming; enriching the life of our community in many ways that I, for one, have often taken for granted.

At each of our "Year of Decision" Focus Discussions this year, at least one person has questioned whether we should devote so much energy and money to our buildings rather that to other important aspects of our shared ministry. There is some merit to this argument. Certainly we shouldn't give up who we are as a community just to keep some buildings in good repair. Some of those who have been members of this community for many years, however, would tell us that our spaces have been an integral part of our shared ministry. Our Sanctuary has been our sacred gathering place. Our Parish Hall has been the center of our shared fellowship and Channing House has provided not only income but also a place for us to meet, to conduct our business, and to gather in a warm and welcoming environment. Preserving these spaces, just as any other effort to enrich our shared ministry, has been worth the time, talent, and treasure that many have given over many years

-- Tom Beall, President