October 2015
Issue 1
The Spire A People Place If this is not a place where tears are understood Where can I go to cry? If this is not a place where my questions can be asked Where can I go to seek? If this is not a place where my heart cries can be heard Where can I go to speak? If this is not a place where I can try to learn and grow Where do I go to just be me? If this is not a place where my spirit can take wing Where do I go to fly?
Kinda Like Drinking From a Fire Hose In my very first letter, I want to express to you, The Mt. Pleasant community, something I’m afraid my words cannot adequately convey, my deep sense of gratitude and thanksgiving for how well we have been received, welcomed, and embraced by this church family. We arrived in July with a lot of hopes and boxes, and quite a few questions and fears as to how we would be received especially when following a long tenure by Kevin and Kim. But we soon learned MPC is a different kind of place. It is a place that is incredibly patient as we struggle to learn, remember and properly pronounce people’s names. It is a place that is homey, warm and inviting as people opened their homes to us, shared their laughter and their family stories with us and even included us in special family events. It is a place with a noble purpose, a place where people with deep wounds are able to share their hearts openly as if among friends, and a place of the unquenchable faith from those who have overcome their own demons and now bringhealing and hope to others. Yes I realize it’s only been three months, but speaking for the both of us, it feels like we’ve come home. There is a Greek proverb that says, “Kindness begets kindness.” I believe your kindness to us gave us the confidence to welcome Celina Jensen, an exchange student from Denmark, into our home. I can’t help but wonder what Celina will receive and take home with her. When we first arrived we heard a lot of great stuff about the difference MPC people make in the community and the district. But I’ve learned that people often describe their church and faith work in very glowing terms because they’re either ashamed of the truth or they simply want to tell you what they think you want to hear. The first thing a pastor really needs to do then is separate fact from fiction. Strangely enough, I was given a rare glimpse into the REAL spirit of the church when on July 12th the church responded to the flood in Lincolnshire. In the days and weeks that followed, it became obvious that what I had heard about MPC was greatly understated. When people are in crisis mode, there isn’t time to debate the merits of helping or to seek the advice of authorities. You either know it or you don’t. In an emergency, our true values, attitudes and beliefs really come out. The response from MPC was automatic, deliberate and generous, a natural expression of a healthy faith community. There is so much to say about this, about the people who worked so well together and about the out pouring of time and money that I do not have enough space to capture it all. It is yet another example of the MPC difference. In this my first newsletter, I have tried to convey my appreciation for all you have done for us, my amazement and awe at what you do for others and my excitement at the future we can create together. Pastor Steve