Minister’s Minute

Dear Ones,

On the first Sunday in October we celebrate, with the Church Universal, World Communion.  We acknowledge our connectedness, our shared faith, our hope for God’s Beloved Community here and now, and in the future, our place in it, and the gift of Jesus Christ.  In our diversity, there is a rich togetherness.  I thought you might be interested in having a much abbreviated church history lesson, and so add to the depth of your worship on that day.

At the end of each October we celebrate Reformation Day.  On that day, over six centuries ago, Martin Luther posted his 95 theses—objections to the theology and practice of the Roman Catholic Church—on the doors of the church in Wittenberg.  With great courage, strength, and faith, Luther invited other theologians to join him in debate on the points he raised.  His hope was that he would spark change in the church.

The outcome of Luther’s action wasn’t at all what he expected.  Instead of orderly debate, he was hounded and hunted and eventually excommunicated, and a new branch of Christianity called Protestantism (from Luther’s protest against the Roman church) was begun.  Other reformers were also calling the Catholic church to change, and they too were either

excommunicated, or left the Catholic church by their own choice,  Martin Luther lived in northeastern Germany; in Switzerland, John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli also led movements of change.  At roughly the same time, England also withdrew from the Roman Church founding their own branch of Christianity called Anglicanism.  The followers of each reformer, or movement, formed new congregations.  There were differences between each Protestant group: Lutherans and Anglicans retained much of the worship practice (liturgy) and theology of Catholicism, while Calvinists and Zwinglians rejected almost all the rituals and liturgy retaining only the most basic doctrines of belief in the Trinity, and the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion.

In turn, new groups grew out of these early Protestant movements.  In England, the followers of Calvin broke away from the Anglican Church to found the Puritan movement which became Congregationalism.  The Wesley brothers also broke with the Anglicans to found the Methodists. 

There were many who differed with the Congregationalists and Methodists over how baptism should be celebrated, and the Baptist movement was founded.

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October is here with its jumble of color and tangy crisp air.  First Congregational Church is as vibrant as the red leaves of autumn, and thriving.  Our Church School is humming; there are opportunities for service, and abundant ways for us to grow together in faith and faithfulness.  We are in relationship with each other, and with God, growing from our diversity into wholeness; learning from each other, as together we build this community of Christ.  As you read the Beacon, look for places and ways to contribute your unique talents and gifts to this fellowship.

Pastor Vicki