Finding True North #8: My First Sunday

This morning, I went to church at North UMC for the first time. And by "went to church," I do mean that I put on my new alb, sat up front with the clergy, and read Scripture in service. Nothing like being thrown in head first.

I love this church. Worship was awesome. The choir (under the direction of Mark Gilgallon) sounded great, and the organist (Martin Ellis) is fantastic. The choir did an introit and two anthems—and people responded with "Amen"s both to the choir and to the organ. Someone told me after service that I seemed so relaxed reading Scripture, and I think it's because although North's worship is highly liturgical, the atmosphere is...well, relaxed. I didn't feel intimidated or nervous, even in such a big, pseudo-gothic space (I'll take pictures soon).

The pastoral team is great. Kevin Armstrong is the senior pastor; Brenda Freije is the new Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Formation; and Brian Williams is the Pastor of Mission and Outreach. Before services, I convened with the 3 of them in the sacristy...which they refer to as "the batcave." It is clear that this church fosters a sense of camaraderie within the pastoral team, and it was just plain fun to be with them. Everyone has been so hospitable to me already—Teri Crouse is another intern (she goes to Christian Theological Seminary here in Indy) and was so helpful in getting me ready for the service. I'm looking forward to working with them all as the summer progresses.

After both services, I stood in the lobby with the 3 Kenya interns (the Duke students who do field ed in Kenya spend time at North before and after their trip to Africa) to meet and greet. The church members are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Everyone I met seemed genuinely glad for me to be there. I already got recruited to play on the softball team, to go to the symphony, and to sing a solo in church. I was also struck by the diversity within the congregation; it is a predominantly white church, but I met a number of African and African-American members. Also, I need to check my facts on this, but I believe that North is a reconciling church, if not officially then at least functionally. Members had nametags, and on many of them I spotted stickers with the Reconciling Ministries Network logo. There is diversity evident in a lot of different ways, and I'll be interested to explore the dynamics of that within the church further.

I'm running out of brain power at the moment—after church, I went to lunch with the Kenya interns and one of their hosts, then I came back, finished reading a book, drafted my Pentecost sermon, and did various things until some of Barbara's neighbors came over for dinner, and they left a little after 9, so...I'm wiped. Tomorrow, I don't have to work, so I'm hoping to explore the Monon Trail, a rails-to-trails greenway that runs through the city (and on which I could theoretically bike to work if it's not too hot). On Tuesday, I'll get to attend my first staff meeting, and I can't wait.