Novato: Change Means Anxiety -- and New Energy

Novato -- December 7, 2004

The Rev. Rebecca Irelan of Novato UMC put this starkly to her church conference last month:

"This church has answered the challenge that I put to you on my arrival here: I can either be a chaplain to the congregation, or I can be a change agent. I can take care of the current membership, or work with you to try to make disciples of Christ.

"You voted for change. While you don't yet know what you are getting yourselves into, you have reaffirmed your commitment to being a multi-generational family of faith and have indicated you are ready to do the things it will take to bring young people and families back to this church. This will require hard work and a sense of humor, patience and a spirit of perseverance, the courage to risk and an ever-readiness to forgive. This will require every resource we have and then some."

Rev. Irelan said the church intends, before its 50th anniversary next September, to upgrade the sanctuary, institute a contemporary worship service, and learn how to be more welcoming. Then, she said, Novato UMC will hang the Igniting Ministry banners affirming Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.

"The effort will bring feelings of discomfort, anxiety, uncertainty, and confusion," she continued. "Just what it was like on the first Pentecost! But if we trust in the Spirit and Power of God, the task also will bring new energy, more life, stronger faith, deeper fellowship."