Our “lone senior citizen”

Our “lone senior citizen”

This is a great story that needs a bit of context. Once a year United Methodists in a particular geographic area get together for what’s called Annual Conference. We’re in the Northern Illinois Conference, which is essentially everything north of Interstate 80. We had our Annual Conference about a month ago and a woman approached my ministry partner Trey and told him that she lived in a small town, wanted to live in the city for a year, and wanted to be a part of our new church, noting that she’d be our only senior citizen. We were both a bit befuddled by this, but it seems to be true. This story was written by one of the district superintendents in our conference (DS’s are administrators who oversee churches and pastors in a particular area):
“Their lives intersected that night. As a result, a new story is being told. A woman from the country made a promise to a pastor in the city: ‘I am willing to be your senior citizen in your new church start.’
“On that night at Annual Conference, when Harvest 2020 was celebrated, stories were told and dreams were revealed, Linda Corwin-Graber listened as Rev. Trey Hall spoke of his dream of starting a new church. The words of his dream fell upon the receptive ears and the heart of Linda who dreamed of living in the city.
“Linda is the Lay Delegate from her congregation and has lived all of her years in Creston, a small town just west of DeKalb on Highway 38. Inspired by her sister, who died prematurely in 1982, Linda decided that she was not going to die regretting that which was undone. She is a leader in the DeKalb District, organizing mission trips to Iowa and Mississippi. But now it's the city that inspires her.
“ ‘I have always dreamed of living in the city, ‘ said Linda. ‘I want to experience the pulse of the city, I want to walk and to know some of her neighborhoods. I want to go to the opera for the first time and I want to return to the ballet. I want to know and experience new styles of worship. I am excited about all of this.’
“This one, who has only known rural life, will rent an apartment in downtown Chicago for one year so she and her husband of 41 years can try this new experience. Something new will come of all of this. What it will be is yet to be revealed. For certain, our God is able.
“Writes the ancient one:
“ ‘Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (or dream) to that God be glory...’ Ephesians 3:20
“May it be so.”

My wife and I went to worship this morning at the little United Methodist Church in Pentwater. The service was “on the green,” outside near the band shell (picture above, though this isn’t the worship service). It was a typical small-town United Methodist service and as I looked around and saw mostly 60-, 70-, and 80-somethings, I keep wondering about the future of our church.

I’m sure Roger Federer meant well, but his response after his win over Andy Roddick at Wimbledon a great example of how empathy can sometimes fall flat. From ESPN’s web site:
“Roddick's voice breaks as he gives his postmatch interview, saying that Federer is a great champion and that he hopes to come back and win one himself next year.
“Federer steps up. ‘Andy, you played an unbelievable tournament,’ he says. ‘Don't be too sad -- I went through some tough ones, too, especially last year, and I came back and won it.’
“ ‘You've won five,’ Roddick replies.”
Federer was essentially saying, I know how you feel. Rule Number One when trying to be empathic: Don’t say, I know how you feel.

Sunday, July 5, 2009