Reflections on Many Years as a Pastor in Morristown

"I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you." (Philippians 1:3-4)

My time at The Presbyterian Church in Morristown has been extremely blessed! In the past 7 1/2 years I have gained valuable experience about how to be a pastor, not only for our particular church, but for the wider Morristown community. I completed Princeton Theological Seminary in 2003 and did not want to disrupt the family with a move. So I applied and was hired by the Morris County Prosecutor's office as the coordinator of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). This was my first "ministry" post-seminary. Since I had been a psychiatric nurse therapist since 1985 and worked in crisis intervention for assault victims in the past, I was comfortable applying for the SART coordinator. The Prosecutors office also referred to me as their "unofficial" County Chaplin. I enjoyed working with the police departments, hospitals, and advocates from the Morris County Sexual Assault Center. 

After nearly 3 years as the SART coordinator, I discerned a "call" to church ministry and became the Associate Pastor of The Presbyterian Church in Morristown (PCM) in May 2006. It has been a full and active ministry both inside the church and out in the Morristown community. Some of my favorite ministry activities involved bringing Christian Yoga, Tai Chi, Stephen Ministry, and a Disaster Response team to the church. I enjoyed developing and leading mission trips to Jamaica, Joplin, MO, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, and Point Pleasant Beach. I am grateful for the devoted and faithful PCM Deacons who were willing to become "shepherds" of neighborhoods to keep the church members in touch with the church since many of our 1000 members live beyond the Morristown area. 

As President of the Morris Area Clergy Council in 2010 I became friends with other clergy in the region, our mayor and freeholders, and had the opportunity to be a speaker at many social justice events held on the Green and in our County Administrative offices. Being an advocate for people suffering from Domestic Violence issues, Drug Addiction, Alzheimer's, Human Trafficking, and AIDS was a significant part of my role as a pastor, too. I was a member of the Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center Advisory Board for 5 years and enjoyed reflecting upon my background in healthcare along with my role in pastoral care in my advisory position. As a member of the Minority Concerns committee for the Morris/Sussex vicinage during the past two years,  I helped the court system explore ways to be more "user friendly" to the county citizens. Since I had worked at the Prosecutor's office, I often had the honor of being invited by the Morris County Administration to give invocations at memorial services and commemorations hosted by the county. 

All of these programs and activities of ministry have aided my development as a community action pastor. I hope this knowledge will also bless the community of Santa Rosa along with The Presbyterian Church of the Roses congregation. There are three hospitals in Santa Rosa and many social justice advocacy organizations with which to make connections to the church. Their church already reaches out to high school students by providing a free breakfast every day of the week for anyone who wants to come to the church hall and eat. They plan to build on this community connection and reach out to the families of these students and to the families of the Rosebud Preschool that is located in the church, too. Churches are great resources for help and support. Like The Presbyterian Church in Morristown, The Presbyterian Church of the Roses is a welcoming sanctuary that promotes healing and wholeness with a history of caring for those in need in the community. 

One of the highlights of my time here in Morristown was one of the most difficult times, too. We had a period of nearly 3 years where the head of staff pastor was in transition. There were two interim pastors during this time and me. I had to pick up the reins, fill in the gaps, and make sure the church kept moving forward. As a result of God's grace and through lots of prayer we were able to keep the church stable and growing. 

The Presbyterian Church in Morristown's leadership of Elders and Deacons are incredibly gifted and talented. That is why the church has been growing and developing for more than 280 years. They don't give up and they keep their focus on trying to accomplish what God inspires them to do for the community rather than being inward focused. While working with this church family I have been able to see in action what keeps a church persevering and developing rather than perishing: God's love for neighbor. 

I am heading West because: The majority of my immediate and extended family now lives in California. The Alloways all moved out of the Midwest to warmer winters closer to the ocean over the past twenty years. After our undergraduate work at the University of Iowa, my husband and I lived in San Francisco for 7 years to attend graduate school at the University of California, San Francisco. We love the SF Bay area. We are going back home to our 49ers with season tickets for 2014. 

There have been many tears in this process of leaving. I have bonded very close to our church family and community friends and neighbors. It is painful to say "Goodbye" because I love them all very much. But I trust in the "call" of the Holy Spirit to this new church ministry and to this region of the country that I also love. The Presbyterian Church of the Roses has invited me to join them in sharing the gospel of love, faith, and hope to the world at this time in their history. They want to expand their mission outreach and connections to the community. And I begin preaching the first Sunday in Advent. 

I am grateful to God that my time here in Morristown has equipped me well for ministry in Santa Rosa which is the county seat of Sonoma County. Yet, there is always more to learn! I appreciate any and all prayers to bless this new ministry and for churches everywhere. 

God is Doing a New Thing at PCM!

We are entering a time of exciting transformation! Isaiah 42: 9 and 43: 19 state: “See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare……..See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

The Presbyterian Church USA has grown out of the reformed tradition founded on the principle: “Reformed and always reforming.” When we are in touch with the guidance of the Holy Spirit we are willing to engage in new things, change, and transform as God leads us. PCM is still alive and serving God well because in the past 280 years we have been willing to embrace change.

All living things evolve and transform over time.  Now it is our turn to transform parts of our church buildings to make them cleaner, energy efficient, and more adaptable for use by our many ministries and worship service needs. We are called to keep transforming into the shape God’s wants us to be to not only meet our own needs but also to meet the current needs of our community and world. Many groups in the community reach out to PCM for help hosting events and seminars because we have a reputation for being a caring church family that shares our blessings with others.

To continue to meet the growing demand for space, we need to update, renovate, and expand our ministry spaces and make them accessible to the physically challenged. The plans for the renovation of our Parish House and possibly the chancel in the COG will be attractive to those looking to: safely bring their children for Sunday School and Mid-week programs, engage in music ministry, actively and quietly fellowship together, and gather for the meaningful worship of God in a beautiful atmosphere.

 

This Fall there are new Bible studies on relevant topics such as: “Environmental Justice and the Bible,” new children’s music programs, a new Stephen Ministry training opportunity, and much more. Our Parish house will be packed to the max and our Church on the Green will be bursting with new visitors and members who want to be a part of the transformational opportunities we provide. May you feel the excitement and be a part of God’s movement inspired by the Holy Spirit. Join in on some of PCM’s new opportunities for fellowship for all ages know the love of God on a deeper level. And may you enjoy the “Our Turn” campaign. God is doing a new thing! Let us embrace it with joy!

 

(photo credit: http://www.livingstreamscc.org/img/somethingNew.jpg)

 

 

 

Our Church's Personality is Resilient

What do I love about our church? PCM’s personality! Every church has a personality and a distinctive style of bringing glory and honor to God. Our church has a resilient, warm and welcoming personality, a heart for mission/outreach participation, an appreciation for education, a love of sacred music, and a devotion to the care and development of children. Our church members volunteer their time to help govern, repair, cook, organize, lead, teach, and care for our congregation. We are blessed with many awe inspiring Christian role models in our midst. The long term devotion to PCM, demonstrated in all the active volunteerism, keeps our church ministries thriving. This is an essential personality trait that contributes to our ministry longevity ever since 1733.

When I decided the best use of my continuing education fund was to complete a Doctorate of Ministry in Science and Theology, the PCM session was very supportive. This fits with the character/personality of the Presbyterian Church since its development out of the Church of Scotland. The Scots have always valued higher education for their pastors.

I am so grateful for the education I received in these past 3+ years going back and forth, 4 weeks each year, to Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for the coursework. It has been an honor to share the Science and Theology knowledge I learned through sermons and adult education seminars. I gained valuable information from conducting the prayer and resilience study, too. In the end, the head of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary DMin program greatly praised my final project.  PCM deserves the praise. My project would not have been completed so well without all those who participated and supported it!

A bound copy of my final project: "The Impact of Two Forms of Prayer on Resilience," will be in the church library as my gift to our church. I am convinced (as a result of doing this research) that we should all comply with Paul's recommendation to the church (in 1st Thessalonians 5) to: "pray without ceasing." My study and many other scientific studies are showing that resilience is enhanced when prayer, (especially the contemplative centering form of prayer), is practiced daily.

 

"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you..." (Ephesians 1: 16-18)

Building Resiliency Through Faith

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”(Hebrews 12:1)

Social science research agrees that there are at least ten key components that build resilience. Two of the top ten are: regular prayer or meditation that calms the mind and body, and participation in a faith-based supportive community.  The need for community support is undeniable. Ever since primitive humans roamed the earth, working and living “in community” has been vital for survival.

This Hebrews passage is one of my favorites about being aware of the role modeling we are doing while living in community, while emphasizing perseverance, and doing what is good for the body, mind, and spirit. God has given us within the Bible an instruction manual for building up resilience. God leaves it up to us to faithfully apply these instructions to our own lives.

Notice how this scripture above highlights the importance of having “a great cloud of witnesses” around you, and throwing off the distractions and things that keep one from being healthy. And notice how it states: “and let US run with perseverance the race marked out for US.” The race in life is not marked out for just you and me, but for US! We are created to go through life in community with one another with the understanding that we are not alone and we are ONE with God who dwells in us and through our actions of love in the world that promote resilience, healing, and wholeness for all.

May you use the time of Lent to focus on doing what is best for your body, mind, and spirit - not just for your own benefit but for the benefit of the whole earth. May you turn to God’s instruction manual for healthy living. And may you find scriptures and prayers that inspire you to live as the Word prescribes for a faithful life that empowers you to endure the struggles that come along with life on earth. Trusting that: “…suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5: 3-5)

Our PCM Lenten Devotional is a good place to start: http://www.pcmorristown.org/files/Documents/Adult%20Education/2012%20Lenten%20Devotional.pdf

Morris County Memorial Day Program May, 25, 2011

Memorial Day Invocation -- May 25th, 2011
Reverend Cynthia Alloway, Presbyterian Church in Morristown
I am thankful to be here representing the Morristown Area Interfaith Clergy Council. As clergy leaders we hope to inspire all of us in this community and beyond to do what we can as faith congregations and as individuals - to support those who serve and protect our country and their families. - I am also the proud mother of an active duty Coast Guard helicopter pilot who is serving in California.
Today, I am also personally commemorating in my heart - my three brothers who served in the Vietnam War in the Navy; one of whom came back 100% mentally disabled. All who have served or have family members who presently serve know the daily anxiety and proud honor that goes along with sacrificing for our country. Answering the call to serve continues to be a brave, honorable and noble way to live and to die. So let us pray a blessing on this important Memorial Day service.
Loving Creator, we ask for your blessing on this Memorial Day program. Remember your children in all the branches of the military - those who have lost their lives while serving our country and those who currently serve. Holy God, there is no one here who hasn’t had a soldier in the family or as a friend. All of us have been affected either in this generation or a previous generation by war.
We trust that you know and remember each of your children who have given of themselves for others. Our hearts deeply mourn the loss of those who were dear to us and we will miss them for the rest of our days. We thank you for the courage you gave each one to defend our freedoms. And today we especially pray for the family of Sgt. Ryan Dolzt. And all the families and friends of those who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, Libya, and all the other African countries at war this past year. Be with the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones and provide help to the innocent civilians caught in the midst of conflicts around the world.
Hear us as we pray for our nation, both its citizens and all our leaders in authority, that we may be a people living the love of God in peace with all, secure in the liberty which is our blessed heritage. Keep us mindful of our common duty to do what we are able to build up here and now the kingdom of God so all will live in harmony.
We pray for peace in the hearts of those who defend and have defended America, for those who have lost friends dear to them, and for those who are scarred mentally and physically by war. May your spirit motivate us in this community of Morristown to be ever more sensitive to the needs of our veterans and provide effective help to those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. Guide us to see our world as one family of God, all of us are brothers and sisters who need one another to enjoy abundant life on this precious earth. We pray these things to you, our loving God of mercy, who is always with us, the one who created us and who loves us beyond all measure. Amen