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Steeple Times Vol. 10, Issue 1: January 2015
First Presbyterian Church of Tyler, Texas 230 West Rusk Street, Tyler, Texas 75701-1696 // (903) 597-6317 // www.fpctyler.com
The Pastor Says We’re Fixin’ To By the Rev. Dr. Stuart Baskin I have a theory. There’s a phrase widely used throughout the South that begs for an explanation: “I’m fixin’ to . . .” It’s colloquial English at its best, because right away, you know what the speaker means when he or she says it. Anyway, my theory is about the etymology, the origin, of the phrase. I may be off base, and I have no actual research to back it up, but I think “fixin’ to” refers to the process of getting equipment in good repair in order to undertake a major project. For example, at the end of the harvest, farmers put away equipment in barns for the winter, and then, when it is almost time for planting, they often get busy repairing the equipment and implements they need in order to plant the new crops. When they say they are “fixin’ to put crops in the ground,” they literally mean they are fixing equipment in order to plant. That’s my theory, anyway. What does this have to do with the rhythm of life in the church? There is a rhythm to rural, agricultural life that we city dwellers have lost touch with. There is a time to plant, and a time to tend crops in the ground, a time to reap the harvest, a time to rest or lay fallow, and a time to prepare to plant yet another crop. The writer of Ecclesiastes summed up this rhythm beautifully
and memorably: For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted. (Eccl 3:1-2, NRSV) Life has its rhythms, and a wise person pays attention to those rhythms. And just as life has its rhythms, so does life in the church. Some of the rhythms are annual: Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time, Lent, Easter, and so on. But some rhythms take longer. In the rhythm of our congregation’s life, the time has come around to look ahead and set plans for the next few years. We call this process “strategic planning,” though we could just as well call it “fixin’ to” time. It’s the time to take stock of who we are, where we’re planted, and what God might have in mind for us. It’s the time to think together about how to live into our “vocation” as a congregation in Tyler, Texas. Beginning with the Planning and Evaluation Committee, then with the Session, and then with the congregation, we will spend time this year discerning God’s call to us and then planning how we will work to be faithful to that calling. So if someone asks what our church is doing this year, just tell them we’re fixin’ to do new ministry!
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in this issue // January 2015
Featured New Music Program: Ring and Sing Fellowship Volunteers Needed Mardi Gras Celebration Coming Up Ian Finlay’s an Eagle Scout Lenten Study Begins in Feb. New Members Class Starts Jan. 11 Event Highlights Fine Arts: Mozart & More FPC Doves Gilmont Women’s Retreat PULSE Training SAM’s Club SHYC: Senior High Youth Connection Youth Group Games Youth Group Middle School Lunch
New Member and Inquirers Class Starts This Month Starting Sunday, January 11, through Sunday, February 15, a class will be offered for all new adult members of our congregation as well as those who are considering joining FPC. The sessions will be held in the Parlor during the Sunday school hour, and will cover such topics as the history and government of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed faith and theology, the history of our own congregation in Tyler, opportunities for involvement, education, and fellowship, and much more. If you would like to participate, please contact Debbie Finley (email dfinley@austinbank.com / 903-5344503 / 903-533-1777) no later than Thursday, January 8.