Interim Pastor Says Goodbye

SPRING HILL - How can a pastor who only has lived here for 20 months help a church to renew and grow?

Easy - sort of.

The Rev. Robert Palin has served as interim pastor at Spring Hill United Church of Christ and several other churches of various Protestant denominations. He will soon depart to serve as interim pastor at West End Collegiate Church, one of the oldest churches in Manhattan. The church was founded as a corporation in 1698 and is presently a Reformed Church.

Palin's education and training lend expertise in the transitions needed for congregations as they redefine their goals and pastoral needs. He is proud that the permanent ministers selected after his interim are still serving or are retired in those churches, and that the churches have seen progress and growth.

Hazel McElroy is the church moderator, presiding over meetings and assisting other deacons and officers in Sunday planning for ushers, greeters and fellowship. She attested to Palin's skills. "Pastor Robert has led us through this interim period with great awareness of our difficult times ... He has defined for us a new way of thinking of the message of Christ - one of love, of service to each other and to the community we live in, of forgiving and living with each other in a spirit of cooperation and right relationship with each other, of acceptance of all of humanity, and one of a right relationship with God. He has done this by the life he lives and his own actions."

Some questions were put to the interim pastor, deacons and other congregational leaders about the church and what it learned from the interim process.

What has Pastor Palin helped you to realize or change for this church?

As chairman of the board of trustees, Larry Meyer is a retired advertising executive, and knows a lot about promotion of products and ideas. Meyer is also serving on the search committee for the new settled pastor, who will begin his position later this summer, after a congregational vote of affirmation.

Meyer commented on the selection of Pastor Palin as the chosen candidate for interim pastor.

"The district sent resumes of interim pastor candidates. That list was narrowed to three," Meyer said. "After personal interviews and dialogue, that committee, and all of us, became impressed by Pastor Robert Palin's focus on helping us to be better known as a beacon of hope in the local community. He also helped us to realize that we can build on our positive strengths and include much more community interaction by such ideas as inviting local Kiwanians, honoring the fire departments, and police, having family outreach events.... Public relations don't exist by itself."

Donald Dust, a retired shoe designer and pattern maker, served as chairman for the search committee to find the interim pastor. He said he was especially impressed by Palin's eloquence in speaking and appreciates his many abilities in bringing the members closer together. "Pastor Palin helped us to realize a new vision for the mission of the church, which is to increase care, and be caring for, our local community."

Doug Thompson, the church treasurer replied, "My wife and I are newer members, and chose this church partly for the way Pastor Palin makes the Bible relevant for everyday life problems and decisions. In my own connection with spirituality, this has caused me to appreciate more reading of the Bible and applying its teachings to my own situations.

"Another positive is that each United Church of Christ congregation governs itself and is autonomous. We engage in lively dialogue as we express our various opinions and build consensus, and we come to really feel like it's our community and church."

Meredith Suld is a recent widow whose husband taught theology in Boston and served in various churches before retiring to Spring Hill. "I had been away from church for awhile," she said, "but felt a need for participation in a faith community. Pastor Robert gave me great comfort and biblical guidance through my grief.

"What really pleases me about this church is that United Church of Christ has a long history of championing social justice issues. Also, Pastor Palin has a passion for helping with community service projects. He helped us to see that the church is not just for seasonal members, but that we are here year round to be a church for the neighborhood, to be a voice in the community. That means a focus on teaching our unique religious education and history to children and youth, and serving young families' needs as well as those of older people. So we have a Share the Care plan for housing in disaster, a ready prayer chain, a pastoral care ministry, and special potluck suppers with speakers on relevant issues to the community, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and representatives from mental health programs."

Judy Barker heads the Pastoral Search Committee. "I was asked to do so by Pastor Palin," she said. "I headed searches for many personnel positions at University of Massachusetts for 22 years, to find suitable applicants for the dean, vice chancellor and other administrative positions, so this was a way I could readily help.

"In an interim position, the pastor helps the committee to define its goals as a church, and what it wants in a settled pastor. This takes many meetings and months of work. Once that is done, the interim pastor steps out of the candidacy screening process and the church proceeds along the course it has chosen. I must say that Pastor Palin is brilliant in his ability to quickly grasp church situations and bring us together for our cooperation and chosen direction. He helped us define our church profile. We shall miss him and wish him and his family the very best."

Barker noted that the new settled pastor will assume regular office in late summer, and that meanwhile, parish supply ministers will give sermons.

What are some ways a smaller church can uniquely attract and serve young families?

Thompson mentioned the church study group, called Open and Affirming. The series helps to bring United Church of Christ congregations to "accepting you for who you are, as you are," he said. "It builds on what you have in common rather than your differences. We don't want exclusivity. We want inclusivity. That's a strong point to attract people of all ages, beliefs, ethnicities and lifestyles."

Pastor Palin said, "United Church of Christ seeks to accept people as they are and to help them find Salvation in life here and now, to find the joy in their faith and worship.

"We can offer alternative ways of worship and mentoring for people with special needs. We can offer a joy of life lived responsibly and caring about creation.

"And if a church is able to meet the needs of children, then some parents will take notice and they may start attending."

Deacon Elma Adams plays in the church handbell choir. She gives praise to the church music programming as a special attraction for new guest and members. "There are many talented people here musically for solos and ensembles. Our music director is Wayne Raymond, who leads the Hernando Symphony. He plays the piano and is a fine musician.

"We recently had an in-house music and arts concert as a community outreach, and a contemporary worship service featuring our children and mini-testimonials. Both were joyful, and worth more inclusion in programming.

"We also have a fine library collection of many types of music. We offer traditional hymns, classical, contemporary and seasonal music of all sorts. Even the little children help with praise and worship. We'd like to build a youth band too. Music for all ages and tastes, new and traditional."

Rev. and Mrs. Palin, what might you say about some plusses and minuses of Spring Hill?

Carol Palin said she would be especially glad to again live nearer to their children and grandchildren. She will miss the SHUCC friends they have made, and the 'greenness' from local trees, parks and rural settings.

" I have enjoyed seeing the church become enthusiastic," she said, " and more people participating in helping to build a broadening consciousness of how we are all connected, whether privileged or not."

Pastor Palin wishes there were more of a civic and cultural core to Spring Hill, and more ecumenism among local churches. "These are difficult days where strife is rife among fellow Christians, not to mention 'enemies' of other convictions," he said. "In the beginning God created order out of chaos. That's still going on and it is our joy and responsibility to work for that order. It's still happening. Thank God.

"Simply put, we at SHUCC seek to nurture a spirit of fairness, helpfulness, compassion, healing, forgiveness, acceptance and inclusivity to all, as we believe Jesus exemplified."

When do they meet?

Sunday worship and Sunday school: 10 a.m.

Special worship service and fellowship tomorrow for

"Closing liturgy" of Rev. Robert Palin

First sermon by new pastor: June 29