The 2020 Annual Report of the Associate Pastor ~
the Rev. Michael Ozaki

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 “The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord
(…) The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
            Even the wicked for the day of trouble.
(…) The human mind plans the way,
            But the Lord directs the steps.”
-Proverbs 16: 1, 4, 9

“Two steps forward, one step back. Now turn it around and find a new track”. This has been the rule, in terms of most of our planning this year, which can grind a community down in no time unless we look at it all through passages like Proverbs 16. Because our plans, they tend to become our idols, serving a god of production when we aren’t paying attention.
 
Thankfully, 2020 demanded a new level of attention from all of us. As a result, we have seen grace and new life flow in all kinds of new and unexpected directions. Below I have described just a few of them.

FISH (Fellowship In Senior High):  After shifting online and ending the year with a special senior sendoff that included many past FISH-ers, we got to gather one last time in person to bless and close the year. Taking place just as the rain and wind paused in the middle of a storm, we didn’t know it then, but it was a perfect illustration for the ways that God would care for this group throughout this year.

When FISH resumed in the fall, though we were unsure if we would be together from week to week, what emerged was a deeper joy and gratitude for that time we had. With each of the small groups making their space “sacred” by making it their own. This extended into a Fall retreat that centered around exploring what we are “Ask, Seek and Knock”-ing for from God and ourselves. Using “geocaching” as a safe activity that everyone could get into even though small groups had to be online.
 
Our seniors, despite snow and ice, also continued to meet for “Senior Circle” outside around the fire. A time of prayer and contemplative conversation to help them prepare for the big changes ahead, with God’s help.
 
The annual FISH Cookie Bake usually takes over 30 volunteers a full day of kitchen work to make what is needed. A definite “no no” for distancing. So, what started as a joke, grew into a plan to have every youth bake their favorite cookies at home and create “variety bags” for sale. Thanks to many of you, we ended up selling out of the hundreds of dozen bags created to raise over $1500 in the end.

With an average of 20-30 youth and leaders on a given night this year, FISH has grown deeper into the core of what makes this community a beautiful grace filled space. The knowledge that, “neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

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The skills I learned from doing “Sacred Pause” as well as a growing desire to be with and connect to others in this congregation led to doing, “3 Questions” along side Allison Maus. A recorded series of “contemplative interviews”, 3 questions invited regular members of the congregation to answers questions about their spiritual life and experience of God in a prayerful process. With it we hoped to give members at home a little taste of those small group conversation moments we missed. There are many beautiful, Spirit soaked moments those conversations. I am forever grateful to everyone trusted me enough to take part.

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One thing that was clear from the very start of the pandemic, was how much help people were going to need because of it. That is why the Social Justice and Mission team began meeting on a weekly basis early on, in order to explore and decide how best to respond. As a result we chose to pull all of our normal benevolence giving into a common “pot” that would be available to those in financial crisis. We also organized with 10 other congregations across the ecclesial spectrum to coordinate how we each respond to requests and referrals with Centre Helps. Lastly, we chose to focus our attention on housing issues specifically. Not only reaching out to local agencies but educating ourselves and the congregation on the local needs and situation. As a result we provided monthly education interviews with organization leaders as part of the worship service, strengthened our relationship and commitment to the community social safety net and responded to personal needs with over $25,000 in giving. 

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When the shutdown began, I found myself stuck in Downingtown Pa. where my family had been visiting my in-laws while FISH was on it’s mission trip. For over 3 months I lived away from home, wondering what I “should be” doing next. What came out of it was “Sacred Pause”. A meditation series every week day at noon with scripture, poems, silence and sharing on Facebook live. I came to find out people used it in ways well beyond my intention, but what blessed me the most was it set the tone for the rest of the year’s work. Learning to begin with peace and presence, allowing the work to flow from there.

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All this is just a sample of the new and unique ministry that we have gotten to do as a church in 2020. Though all of it God has “directed our steps” in new and beautiful ways. As we move into 2021, with no sign of “normal” returning any time soon, I hope that we can put down that idol. Instead, turning to run in the direction that God has given us. I have no idea what is down that road, but I am truly excited to find out along side all of you.
 
Grace & Peace,
Michael Ozaki