Who are the Neighbors in your Neighborhood?
The word ecumenical comes from the same root as economy and ecology, and refers to how the multiple expressions of Christianity are interrelated. Yet so often retreat into our own ‘sides of the street’ when we have so much to bless each other with. Here are three ‘ecumenical’ blessings I have gained from my experiences with ecumenical ministry. Big Bird, or Snuffy? Remember when Snuffleupagus was only visible to Big Bird? He was a lonely creature with no neighborhood or support to lean on, meanwhile Big Bird has a huge community to rely on. Some denominations are rather like old time Snuffy, largely out there on their own. Others, like us, are more like Big Bird with multiple layers of network and relatedness and accountability. DFMS office, Province coordinators, Diocesan leaders, and FORMA all provide a taken for granted safety nest. When I listen to my colleagues whose church bodies do not have the same level of support, I give thanks once more for the expertise available to me, everyday and all the time. Only One Of These Things is Not Like the Others. There is a tremendous amount of duplication in our own neighborhoods. Sometimes our ecumenical cousins are way out in front of our new terrain, and vise versa. Time spent recreating the same resources is time that takes away from mission. Furthermore, through ecumenical work I learn how to look at our structures with fresh eyes. The challenges, liabilities and pastoral needs we face are less isolated when we admit that we all share them. Furthermore, my support structure is deeper and broader because of my ecumenical neighborhood. Sunny Days! We have so much more in common than we can ask or imagine. When you strip away all the liturgical clouds and the judicatory clutter what you find are dedicated servants of Christ striving to shape a holy future. We share an unusual calling to shape something as amorphous as faithfulness. We are silly and serious; we are fatigued and champions, and we are all in need of loving community. We really are one in mission, truly are one in call. One of the best time periods in my ministry was when I helped lead an ecumenical VBS. We didn’t encounter each other as competitors, instead as creative neighbors with the same passions. Currently my primary ecumenical service is being a part of an ecumenical committee that arranges the PNEUMA Conference. Once known as the Western Christian Education Conference, PNEUMA leadership includes lay and ordained, professional and volunteer ministers who are Presbyterians, UCC & Episcopalians, and the participants who serve in even more denominations. This year the PNEUMA 2015 is gathering October 12-15 at the Bishop’s Ranch in a most amazing neighborhood of Northern California. So if you are feeling called to stopover in ‘Ecumenical Street’, maybe you can visit wwww.pneumaconference.com .
Jane Gober is a long term practitioner of formation ministries across the church. Currently the Youth & Family Minister in Walla Walla, Washington, and the Missioner for Christian Religious Education in the Diocese of Spokane. A member of FORMA and PNEUMA she is known to sing when not necessarily prescribed.