Dear Friends,
So I have good news that I can finally make the announcement about where God has called me. Many of you have been wondering, thank you for your patience. God has called me as a Deacon-in-Charge at St. Mark’s in Warwick, Rhode Island. We are very excited for this new season and I know there is much learning ahead of me. I will be part of the new clergy group here in Rhode Island and I’m excited to meet folks as we work alongside one another.
I’ve always thought the “Priest-In-Charge” title was a funny one. I understand why we need it, it helps to clarify a person’s role but calling myself something “in charge” is funny. I never really imagined running a parish myself. I’m not exactly sure why. But my leadership style can be unusual. I find that it is important to allow a community to define what matters for the parish. And much of the “onboarding” in a parish setting consists of listening well and listening deeply.
In my professional development this week we talked about Erwin Raphael McManus’ seven frequencies of communication. Having not taken the assessment yet I will share with you where I see myself but first let me share the seven frequencies he outlines, as you may enjoy thinking about them for yourself too. They are:
-the motivator
-the commander
-the healer
-the challenger
-the professor
-the seer
-the maven
At first glance I think I communicate most naturally as the Healer. There are times when I wish I was more like the professor or the commander but for the most part I don’t communicate at those frequencies naturally. I don’t know how my communication frequency will be received at my new parish quite yet. But I have sought to be as honest as possible in this season. That’s generally my way of approaching these matters. My mentor suggested that I should be myself and if myself is a little weird to just lean into it. Which I will fully own!
I’m praying a lot about how I am arriving to St. Mark’s, what kind of first impressions I want to make, and how to I live into both a season of change and growth but also honestly as myself and as the person God has both called and formed me to be.
I’d encourage you to take a gander on The Seven Frequencies website if you think this type of discussion interests you. I don’t think it is strictly a pastoral resource, it’s more about communication in general. So you might find it interesting to explore and ponder for yourself.
For whatever it’s worth, when I preach I tend to speak as a Motivator. I know some folks who don’t think a sermon should be used in this way. I tend to disagree because I believe a sermon is written for the community. And when I sense a community needs motivation, motivation to love one another deeply, motivation to hear God’s words to us, motivation to be healers in our own spheres of influence. I sort of can’t help but offer a community what I sense they need. But I like to see my preaching as a motivator as motivating to something very specific. Motivation to love God and love one another even more deeply, more fully.
I’m thinking about things such as radical welcome and loving one another well. As I begin a new season with a new parish in the coming weeks.
On a personal note we are moving into a parish rectory which will be a new experience for us. Living on the church property and downsizing to fit into it are consuming much of my time as of late. Which isn’t especially interesting to write or read about, I know. We are attempting to sell or give away much of what we don’t feel we need. And one attribute I’m wanting to try to live into in this new season is simplicity. I’m trying to think through what things we will need as absolutely necessary and trying to leave behind the items that aren’t absolutely necessary.
I think I may keep writing about my continuing education in the couple of weeks ahead of my official transition on Oct. 1st. And then I may be switching to writing about the lectionary as I will be steeping myself in the lectionary every week. But I reserve the right to change this as things develop. Your patience as I discover what this space will be used for is deeply appreciated.
Peace be with you,
Julia
‘And when I sense when a community needs motivation’… yes! Well said.. because at this time in our country we need motivation toward positive action.