We went to morning service with the United Methodists near Berkeley, California yesterday. The congregation of thirty were holding their penultimate service in a church that had started 105 years ago but was now no longer sustainable. The building was to be sold to a Chinese Christian church and they were moving out, for the time being at least, to the parsonage!
Despite inevitable sadness, they were not despondent. They shared memories of the good times and continued to plan for the future. They prayed for the sick and needy near and far, and told of joys as well as sorrows. They sang from the United Methodist Hymnal accompanied by a decent grand piano, and there was a vocal duet, some gentle drums and a quiet guitar. One woman knitted her way through the sermon.
Most remarkable was their bright young woman pastor. She had been stationed there less than three months ago, and would be leading them through their wilderness years into an unknown future. In her message, she started from Steve Jobs’ much-mourned death in nearby Cupertino during the week, and asked what aspect of the church’s business model he would have faulted had he been reviewing their imminent demise. Of one thing she was certain: whatever the packaging, whatever the marketing, the church still had a product that people wanted: the love of God was there for all.
It was good to be sharing with them this weekend: a Methodist home-from-home. We may be able to learn lessons from them about our own buildings.
