Margaret's Meditations
Dear Friends,
Growing up during the 1970s, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was a television staple in my family‟s home. The daily sweater-sneaker-and-song routine opened the door to encounters with an incredibly broad range of ideas and experiences all served up with Fred Rogers‟ kind and gentle demeanor. One of the elements of the show was art appreciation, delivered through “Picture Picture” - an ornate gold frame containing a new image (or sometimes a whole slide show!) each episode.
Perhaps this memory seems quaint and disconnected from the life of faith in general and our congregation in particular. But in many ways, I feel that it does relate to the issue of what is displayed on the front walls of our sanctuary flanking the organ.
[For those who were not able to attend our annual Church Conference this January, I brought the conflict that has been bubbling about this issue for several years now to the attention of the body. Those present voted to undergo a period of fasting (where these walls would be left blank) to help us pray about this situation, be in holy conversation with one another and ultimately make a decision fitting for our community of faith.]
Here‟s where we are now.
Over the past few weeks, some of you have let me know that the “Picture Picture” element of worship is not important to you. Other priorities occupy your attention; that‟s fine.
Others have communicated clear preferences for specific options (including Jesus pictures only, banners only, and regular rotation between these two elements).
I submit to you a third possibility, which I believe should be part of this conversation. Specifically, video projection in worship. This could be to a screen or wall or flat screen t.v. – however that is achieved technologically, this element might very well need to occupy at least one of the currently blank spaces at the front of our sanctuary. Though this may not seem necessary to support this congregation‟s current style of worship or meet anyone‟s
“aesthetically pleasing” test (particularly in conjunction with our building‟s architecture) I believe it is incumbent upon us to begin discussing this in earnest. There is a substantial body of evidence that demonstrates that people under age 35 (sometimes referred to as “digital natives”) expect screens, moving images, computers and other electronic technology everywhere they go. For them, entering a space (even one for worship) that does NOT contain these things is just as foreign as church pews without Bibles and Hymnals would be for most of us. Whether we like it or not, the challenge of bridging the digital communication gap with younger generations is, for the church today, of the same magnitude as embracing (or rejecting) the printing press was in the 15th century. Can you imagine life with only one Bible (hand written) for the entire town? Me neither. You get the picture…
Which brings me back to my “Picture Picture” analogy.
The question of what ought to… or could… occupy our “Picture Picture” space is fairly well defined. What is unclear is the question of how to arrive at a conclusion.
How should we make a decision? How should we be in “holy conversation” that leads to a permanent decision? Personally, I would love to see some Mr. Rogers values embodied in the process. Qualities like attentive listening, gentle conversation and loving inclusion and compassion for all involved would certainly have been embraced by the Sunday school teachers of my youth. How about yours?
I am praying about this. I invite you to do so, also. Additionally, I encourage you to talk to each other and to me about ideas for how to navigate this process. It is my belief that having opportunities to be heard will be an important step for some among us, so this need should be honored and addressed in some way. Aside from this stipulation, I am wide open to any and all suggestions and eager to gain from your wisdom.
Please feel free to call, come by the office, email, have me to your home, etc. I‟m listening.
Blessings to all in this process,
Pastor Margaret
