There are people out there who get us (and you)
At Harbor we partner with two denominations, the UCC and the PC(USA). Both partners support us with grant money, coaching, resources, and more. For the last two years, I have been fortunate to be a part of the PC(USA)’s 1001 New Worshiping Community (NWC) cohort . The cohort is filled with other faith leaders reimagining faith gatherings across the United States. Folks are doing all types of creative expressions of worship. Once a year the cohort, which meets weekly on Zoom, gets together for a few days in person. This year the gathering was in New Orleans.
A word on hospitality from denomination people
So, my overtired-mom-of-two-little-kiddos self rallied to join the group alongside my four-month-old daughter Bradley Kit. I got off the plane and before I even made it to baggage claim I was greeted by two male PC(USA) pastors who worked for the denomination. They immediately greeted me with kindness, grabbing my bags and asking how they could support me and baby Bradley. One of them shared with me, “I’m assigned to drive you and Bradley this weekend! You just let me know what you two need and I’ll take you.” From that point forward, each PC(USA) staff I met exhibited that same generous hospitality and support to me.
This abundant hospitality has caused me to reflect on two themes:
Maternal care
There are church people and denominations who have normalized maternal care for female pastors. They offered this support before I had to ask for it. How rare to be met with mutual respect as a female pastor as well as mutual care for the vulnerability of my body and my baby in this season.They get Harbor
Most of the time when I share about Harbor to other ministry leaders in my area, they look at me funny and don’t quite get what I’m saying. There seems to be a lot of suspicion, hesitation, and doubt that pastoring at Harbor is “real church ministry.” What I found so refreshing was that this group of PC(USA) people really gets us. They see us and what we’re doing, and they don’t question it—in fact, they are supporting us and cheering us on and technically we aren’t even a PC(USA) church. So when I showed up, they didn’t hesitate to welcome me even though I’m an “outsider” of the PC(USA). I showed up and they welcomed me like one of their own.
Many of us at Harbor have been exiled from formal church. We are misfits, creating a spiritual home on Zoom. And while it might feel like that exile is universal, there are these little pockets in the churchland that see us, value us, and support us.
Okay, now I need to tell you about these other cool communities in the PC(USA) 1001 New Worshiping Communities (NWC) network!
Most of my time in New Orleans was spent with the eclectic cohort of innovative faith leaders. I love this group. These pastors and their communities give me hope. Some examples of NWCs around the United States:
Every Table: Ministry in Richmond, Virginia to heal from white supremacy and capitalism
Freedom Church of the Poor: a New York church centered around organizing to end systemic poverty
Creativity Lab and Finding Our Way Home: gatherings online and at a church in Times Square where people sing, write and worship together in a unique way.
Shalom Collective: Farm to table dinner gatherings to connect faith leaders across the city of Portland, Oregon.
Intertwined: Church outside on trails in Pennsylvania exploring faith through ecology
The Labyrinth Cafe: queer affirming ministry pursuing food justice for university students in New Orleans
Kin-dom Collective: offering gatherings and retreats in pursuit of communal healing and belonging through Jesus Way and Indigenous Wisdom (p.s. Chantilly–friend of Harbor–is the co-founder of this!)
Kindred: contemplative gatherings at the intersection of arts and mindfulness in Cambridge, Massachusetts (@k.i.n.d.r.e.d on Instagram)
Faith Studio: online gatherings to support one another in the exploration of faith
I know that religious institutions of all kinds are scary for many of us—for good reason. I hope you’re encouraged to learn that Harbor is not the only island of misfit toys. There are courageous and inclusive faith leaders, kindred spirits to Harbor, doing amazing work.
When you have a few minutes, I encourage you to explore some of these websites. I suspect it will fill you with some of the hope I experienced in the Big Easy.
