May 2022 Monthly Letter
Reconciliation & Unity: The Challenge of Integration
by Rev. Dr. Albert Vander Meer S.T.M
The First Reformed Church members and leadership were dissatisfied with our second worship offering. In preparation for our third joint service the worship teams of both congregations met and planned the service. This cross cultural third service was reasonably accepted by both congregations. We continued with the format of planning and conducting our joint worship services and grew in our appreciation of our different styles of worship reflecting our cultures.
A significant highlight in our journey together was a joint Maundy Thursday service. We shared a Pasqual meal followed by a foot washing service, a joint worship service and the sharing of communion. Racial reconciliation was beginning to emerge.
On Easter Sunday due to illness, I could not conduct our 9:30 Easter worship service. The leadership of FRC asked Pastor High to lead our service. On this Sunday the first African American family visited after several invitations from a FRC member. The visitors were quite surprised to see a Black Preacher lead the service of this historically white congregation. The visitors returned and became active members.
In the fall of our Second year of sharing space the leadership of both FRC and Shepherd’s Community agreed to participate in a six-week seminar on “Racial Reconciliation.” We met one evening a week for two hours viewing videos on the history of discrimination in our country followed by discussions and homework assignments. This experience of reconciliation was painful and difficult. But the discussions were healing and helpful in moving towards Racial Reconciliation. Both congregations continued to work together and grew in the process accepting one another.
A gifted young seminary graduate accepted the call to be the new Senior Pastor of FRC. The new pastor, Matthew Waterstone had received several other calls. He accepted the call to FRC because of their vision of becoming a Multiethnic Congregation. The ministry of reconciliation and reaching out to the community continued. About forty African Americans became members. Also, the leadership of the congregation elected some of the new African American members to the positions of elder and deacon. A part-time African American lay pastor was employed by FRC and ordained into the denomination. FRC continues to seek to integrate and serve the community.
Upon leaving the congregation of FRC to serve another church as a Specialized Trained Interim Pastor, the V.P. of the Consistory gave me a very generous check and said, “Thank you for giving us hope again.” Also, Shepherd Community Church held a special dinner for my wife and me to thank us for being instrumental in the Racial Reconciliation process which allowed the congregation to be blessed with a wonderful space for ministry. I continue to be grateful for Pastor Willard High and the leadership of Shepherd’s Community Church for their willingness to risk traveling on a new journey of sharing space and resources with FRC. Their faith and acceptance of the members of FRC gave hope to a congregation that was in despair. I thank the members of FRC and especially their leadership for their commitment to serve the community where they are located and engage in “Racial Reconciliation,” the first step in integration and becoming a multi-ethnic congregation.