"We want this church to be a place of nurture and comfort to all who come here."
- Charlie Summers, Pastor

A message from the Pastor

Journey Inward - Journey Outward

Here at First Presbyterian Church we seek to balance our care for one another with our mission to the community. Sometimes I get the question, "Why all of this talk about service to the community? Don't we have to take care of ourselves first, before we can care for others?"

That is a good question, and one I have heard in many settings over the years. Like most queries, it carries several layers of meaning. I think the question asks, "Do they matter more than we do? Does the church just want to 'use' me for a social service agenda? What about my needs and the needs of my family? Are my problems of concern to the church? How can I help, when my own life feels like chaos?" And I am sure there are more as well.

Many years ago, when I was a young pastor in Washington, D.C., I got to know the Church of the Savior. It was an evangelical, Christian community working in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. This church sponsored worship, study, a bookstore, an art gallery, soup kitchen, a free medical clinic for the poor, and more. One of their members, Elizabeth O'Connor, wrote a book describing their experience. It was called Journey Inward, Journey Outward. In it, she talked about the connection between the two great commands to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. The "inward journey" of worship, prayer, and study anchors the life of faith. It enables us to take part in Christian fellowship, service, and evangelism. The "outward journey" keeps us connected to the world that God loves, lest we simply become isolated individuals who stay away from "all those other people."

The healthy Christian (and the healthy church) walks on two legs, not one. It uses each leg in a regular rhythm. One leg does not come before the other. Christ gave us two commands, and the two of them keep us centered, balanced, and in tune with God and each other. Like you, I spend time in prayer each day, asking for God's help, mercy, and guidance. I like what Anne Lamott says about prayer. She writes, "I only know two prayers. Each morning, I pray 'Help me. Help me.' And every evening, I pray 'Thank you. Thank you.' " None of us can walk this road on our own energy alone.

So the answer to the original question is, "Yes, we care about you and your needs. We want this church to be a place of nurture and comfort to all who come here. Yes, we want this fellowship to grow in faith, hope, and love for God, for each other, and for the community." If you need more attention to one part of this journey at a particular time in your life, we as a congregation want very much to help you with that. We have study groups, fellowship groups, classes, prayer teams, lay Stephen Ministers, as well as mission and service opportunities. Let us know how we can be a part of your growing life of faith and faithfulness.

There is only one journey, but we walk together on our two legs. It is the love of Christ that draws us, and the same love that sends us. Both are a part of being a healthy Christian community.

Yours in Christ,
Charlie Summers
Pastor