| I announced my intention to retire as Pastor of Ravenna Boulevard in March 2004. That's when the conversation about something new began. My announcement along with concern that in a small congregation it is difficult to maintain all the essential programs and services, led church members to meet with the Rev. Boyd Stockdale, Executive Presbyter, to explore possibilities for the future. The Ravenna Session had already pondered what the future might hold, especially in terms of calling another pastor, and much prayer had been offered about God's will for the congregation.
After considering several possibilities, Ravenna's session and members began to dialogue with Wallingford Presbyterian Church about a possible merger. The congregations were well-matched theologically, in worship style, and sense of mission. Being only 2.3 miles apart, it seemed advantageous to become one church, with each congregation bringing its particular strengths to the new one.
Ravenna joined in this dialogue with a sense of hope and a certain sadness about leaving our church facility where we celebrated 95 years of faithful Christian service on May 16, 2004. We poignantly remembered and gave thanks to God for the blessings received through almost a century of congregational life.
Wallingford members challenged one another to "Think Big" at the outset of 2004. What began as a conversation within the Worship Committee while planning for the season of Lent soon became a theme for the year winding its way through sermons, an officers' retreat, session meetings, and dozens of informal conversations around the church. "What is the best thing that could happen to this congregation?" and "What is the biggest thing you can imagine God doing here?" became conversation starters. Who could have thought they'd decide to become a new church?
Once an intentional decision was made by both Sessions to pursue a possible merger, tasks for church officers, and members of the Administrative Commission, shifted into high gear. That speed was maintained throughout the summer, with the result that new by-laws and a full Merger Agreement were ready for the congregations to consider by September 1.
Six months is a short time to do all the negotiating and preparations for a merger, but by the grace of God we did it. The congregational votes held on September 12 were overwhelmingly positive, with Presbytery adding a show of support on September 21.
The more difficult negotiations centered on the fact that one congregation (Ravenna) would need to move into a familiar facility for the other (Wallingford). That, in turn, meant that staff changes had to be made. The grief associated with the move was soothed a bit by moving a number of furnishings from Ravenna Boulevard facility to the Wallingford facility. And staffing concerns were guided by wise and gentle care on the part of the Administrative Commission.
The church program year was ready to begin on Sunday, September 19, the newly-merged congregation wasted no time in getting together. Christian education classes for all ages, plus a service of worship, were held at Wallingford that day. Each Sunday since has been a day of joyous sharing. Time is still being invested in getting better-acquainted and all three pastors have found themselves with plenty of work to do. However, the sense of empowerment that comes from combining strengths has been wonderful to experience.
In the future, other congregations may need to take a similar step. I advise them to be courageous in doing so. I would emphasize that a sense of good will and trust is bedrock to this process. I also suggest churches take a year to complete a merger. The amount of work to do is great!
In other presbyteries, a new name for a merged congregation is often chosen ahead of the actual merger. This was not possible in this particular situation, but this does occur in other mergers.
Key to the success of this merger has been the sense of respect and cooperation enjoyed by the three pastors involved. And this same sense of respect and cooperation has been present among the Session and congregants. Most of all, coming together has been possible because of God's faithfulness — past, present and future.
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