November 14, 2008

I.  INTRODUCTION.

The members and friends of Grace offer this statement in response to the addition of the word “witness” to the vow for membership in the United Methodist Church.   This task has been a meaningful and a timely one for the body of Christ at Grace Church.  Once again, we are reminded of the power and working of the Holy Spirit.  So, as part of our annual fund campaign, it was particularly significant that, as part of a series of events leading up to the culmination of our annual fund campaign, we added to each of our three worship services a program element called, “Cardboard Testimonies.” A number of those who contributed to the preparation of this statement participated in the Cardboard Testimonies.  Beginning with our pastors, scores of members shared the impact that our shared Christian faith has had upon our lives.  For some, the transformation began at the moment of their conversion.  For others, the life-changing event occurred at some point in their journey.  One by one, we entered the sanctuary; one by one, we stood before our brothers and sisters in Christ and, sometimes haltingly, other times, victoriously, we shared the hand-written statements scrawled on cardboard, first on the before side and then, redeemed, on the after.  Some testimonies were instantaneous, dramatic; others were a quiet progression; all were life giving, life changing, life affirming.  These testimonies gave the rest of us hope for a similar turnaround in our own lives or in for those of our loved ones.  That said, we plan to continue to make witness an intentional part of our church tradition and culture. This tradition is embodied in a verse from “The Servant Song,“
“I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh,
I’ll laugh with you.
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.”

The following ideas do not represent a mandate for all of the groups and individuals that comprise Grace Church.  However, these ideas will be available for teachers, leaders and servants as we intentionally make the study, habit, process and discipline of witness a greater part of our individual and communal worship and spiritual practice.

B.  RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS.
QUESTION #1.  How will your congregation(s) explore and give definition to the word “witness” as part of membership vows?
A.  IN WORSHIP.  (Now and in 2009)

1.)  W.O.W.!  Minute  (Words on Witness.)  A W.O.W. moment may also mean “Words of Wesley”  or perhaps, “Wesley on Witness!” Brief readings of 1 to 3 minutes from Wesley’s sermons or other writings on witnessing could be integrated into the worship service.

2.)  The Sacraments.  Recognition by the laity that the observation, practice and ritual of the Sacraments are an expression of our devotion to the practice of our faith and to the rituals that symbolize core aspects of our belief.  Recently, a Worship Committee tasked with rethinking the worship format for our 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary Service, now called, “The Journey,” developed a series of seven worship bulletins that examined various aspects of worship and, in particular, looked at the meaning of the Sacraments.

3.)  Scripture.  Intentionally selecting and reading scripture on witness.  Meditation on selected Scripture, as identified. (Lectionary, other Scripture)

4.)  Mini-Drama /Dramatic Sketch Illustrating Witness. Drama has been a component at each of our three services and at special events during the church year.  During 2008, at an annual Grace Talent Show, a member presented an original dramatic sketch illustrating his own testimony.  It is significant to note that this annual program, many groups (singers, dancers, performers) witness to their character, their love of the Lord, their efforts to glorify and praise God in every aspect of their daily lives, and more.

5.) Children’s Puppet Theatre (Gumpets) A talented team of playwrights and puppeteers, who have recently expanded the Gumpet Ministry to the 8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Service, have a history of interpreting various themes and subjects in humorous and meaningful ways.  This ministry is in a position to bring the meaning and example of “witness” not only to children but also to intergenerational audience.  Because the Gumpets have become a popular attraction at community festivals and other venues within the Carlisle community, there is a potential to take the message of witnessing to new audiences

6.) Music.  The theme of “witness” is threaded throughout the musical selections sung by the laity, selected by our choir leaders for performance at various services, played by our musicians and “rung” by the bell choirs. The use of a newly installed pull-down screen in the sanctuary is used to display lyrics to hymns sung by the congregation or by one or more cantors.  Similarly, a pull-down screen in the Multi-Purpose Room, where the Contemporary Worship Service is held, is used to the same advantage.  These practices will continue in 2009.

For the new “Journey” service, an Ancient-Future worship format, songs emphasizing witness are regularly made part of the worship service.  The service combines music from the early church with both classic and contemporary hymns, many of which underscore the call to witness and to mission.  One can look to Charles Wesley for some of the greatest hymns of the church.  One emphasizing witness, especially, comes to mind:

“A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.”

7.) Visual Elements and the Liturgical Arts.  We are a visual church.  We are blessed with a series of magnificent stained glass windows which tell the story of Jesus’ ministry from his birth, to his teaching, to his crucifixion and resurrection.  The challenge is to pause to take in not only their beauty but also their message.  Only recently, we consciously paused to consider the “Old, Old Story” as portrayed in the stained glass windows. Bringing mindfulness to witness is one way to bring ‘witness’ to the forefront of our faith practice.    We will look forward to new opportunities now and throughout 2009 to testify to our Christian heritage, to the grace of the Holy Spirit, and to the transforming power of God at work in our lives.  Lastly, we have a beautiful collection of liturgical banners to which we plan to add others which tell of God’s transforming, saving grace.

8.) Supplementary Bulletins.  For 2009, we anticipate developing a series of     supplementary worship bulletins that will examine “The Ways of Witness.”

IN SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES. – (Now and throughout 2009)

1.  Sunday School provides opportunities and occasions for the laity to grow together relationally.  It is in Sunday School that the essence, purpose and hope of witness can be best explored, examined, explained and tried on!  Through the close bonds that are developed among members of Sunday School classes, trust among the members develops.  In an atmosphere of mutual respect, love and trust in the body of Christ, testimonies can be shared.  Witnessing and sharing the authentic self becomes not only more comfortable but can become part of the fabric and culture of the Sunday School class.  Sunday School provides the perfect medium for planting the seeds of witness.  It is in the compost of our lives that new blooms can spring forth.  It is in Sunday School class where we can hone our skills in witness.  It is in Sunday School that that others get glimpses of the way we live … or don’t live … our lives.  It is in Sunday School that we can testify as to God’s presence, grace and power in our lives on a moment by moment basis.

2.  A new book by Max Lucado, called Cast Of Characters: Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God, offers examples of God’s work in the lives of ordinary people. Lucado encourages us to share our stories and for folks to “blow their trumpets” if they are a Lazarus.  Lucado writes, “We find our stories in theirs. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the midst of them all…hovering over them all…is the hero of it all: God. Maker. Shaper. Rescuer of sinking hearts. God.”

3.   At Grace, Sunday School classes often provide leadership in service, mission and ministry.  As we hone our own skill in witness, we will more willing to welcome opportunities to share our faith with others outside our community of faith.

QUESTION # 2.  How might a stronger focus on witness be of strength to the ministry of your congregation(s)?   (Both in 2008 and throughout 2009 and beyond.)

a. The laity and leadership at Grace have accomplished a great deal.  However, there is still a lot of work to do.  We have demonstrated a great responsibility and duty toward reaching out to and meeting the needs of persons within and without of the greater community. We have responded as a congregation, as individuals, as Sunday School classes, as task forces and committees to meet the diversity of recreational, spiritual, physical and emotional needs of children, youth, adults and families within our community and elsewhere.  A stronger focus on witness may increase our effectiveness even beyond what we are currently doing in the greater community.  A stronger focus on witness may reshape certain of our ministries.  With God, nothing is impossible.  We can indeed do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  We cannot know how what could be with an intentional focus on witness, but it will be most welcome and wonderful to watch!

b.  We are known as “the downtown church” in Carlisle.  We are known for taking the initiative, for stepping out in faith to address community needs.  We are known for serving in mission and ministry in multiple ways, locally, regionally and internationally. Feeling confident and comfortable in witness, knowing that, when we become United Methodists, we take a vow that we will “be loyal to The United Methodist Church and uphold it by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service and your witness?,  we will have the words, the ways, the will and the impetus to fulfill our commitment.

QUESTION #3.  How will you as disciples of Jesus Christ implement witness in new ways in 2009?

a. In Worship, Sunday School and Small Groups.  Please refer to our responses in previous questions for more thorough information. Leaders and participants in worship, Sunday School as well as in various ministries and mission projects will first seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for implementing witness in new ways in 2009.

b. Internal and External Ministries and Missions. Regarding witnessing, one member of the committee preparing this paper wrote, “I think that in all cases if we pray that God will lead us to those whom he wants us to testify to it will happen.  We need to be sensitive to when it is happening.”  Further, he writes, “Witnessing outside the church may not increase our numbers but God will strengthen us in his own way.” “We need to search for ways to engage an evangelistic ministry from our church.  I think that is what we are doing now.  We need to go outside the church walls in a significant way.”  So, wherever Grace Church is represented in the community, at festivals and fairs, at athletic events, at picnics and cookouts, from community celebrations from First Fridays to First Night, we can include an intentional “witness” component, whether in the form of a “booth” or “a table” to answer questions, connect inquirers to resources and/or share our Christian faith.

c. Other.  Custom License Plates.  One terrific idea shared for this statement “involves making license plate frames or bumper stickers (or both) available to church members which express their Christianity.  License plate frames could read “Me meet at Grace UM Church Carlisle,” “Christ is Lord of My Life” or have some similar message.  Hopefully this would help to spread the “Word” and also make drivers more accountable for their actions since they do not want to be hypocrites.”

QUESTION #4. How will the congregation(s) plan to use personal testimony in new ways in 2009?
Again, in 2009, we will encourage a combination of organized, informal and impromptu ways for persons to share their personal testimony across the breadth of ministries, missions and programs in which Grace members are involved.  These may include but are not limited to the following:
A second “Cardboard Testimonies” service (at all three services),
The inclusion of testimonies (in musical, theatrical, or dramatic form) at our annual Talent Show, at the Pan-Methodist Dinner held jointly with two local A.M.E. churches, at an Upward athletic activity for children, youth and parents, in Empower (our after school program held in concert with the YMCA and Dickinson College) and at other events with a public component.
In addition, leadership and laity will continue to encourage the artistic, dramatic, musical and visual gifts of the laity in worship and in other public venues. Such performances and activities attest to the working of the Holy Spirit and to the effect of a growing faith on the “lives we lead,” the activities in which we choose to participate and the places we select to use our God-given gifts.

d.  We will work collegially with the pastors, with the coordinators of Adult and Children’s Christian Education and Sunday School teachers and with small group and ministry leaders to facilitate using personal testimony and witness in traditional and non-traditional ways. Witness will continue to find a (more intentional) home within the Sunday School setting, in formal Bible studies held within the church and in neighborhood homes; in worship, in both formal and informal gatherings and small groups, like Alpha, the Stevens Ministry, Divorce Care, H.O.T. Grace (a homeless outreach), Carlisle C.A.R.E.S. (the parent program of a growing homeless outreach), among others.  One contributor to this statement recommends an initiative “to encourage all adult classes to focus on witness at some point in the year in their classes, including giving opportunity to class members to share their stories with each other in a small group setting,” which he adds “is far more comfortable for folks than to do so in a large class or worship setting.”  Further, he recommends that, “A starting point for all classes might be to recruit those who shared their cardboard testimony yesterday to speak in more detail about their stories during class which might encourage others to speak up as well.”

e.  While our three worship services at Grace combine traditional and contemporary elements, a time for meditation on scripture calling for Christian witness may be a very meaningful addition to each of the services.

This concludes our statement.  We will welcome an opportunity to share in words and in writing during the coming year.

In Christ,
Lay Leadership of Grace United Methodist Church