During Pastor Tracey’s sabbatical, there will be exciting ministry opportunities for Trinity as well.  Next month, more will be shared about a weekend retreat and two “Narrative Nights.”  Trinity’s part-time Associate Visitation Pastor, Linda Dolby, will have expanded duties.  Morris DuBose will have expanded leadership of Fusion.  Amber Traeger will bring the message during one morning worship and one Fusion.  But, most of the pastoral coverage will be provided by Rev. Jack Hartman.  On page 10 is a bio to help you get better acquainted with him:
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Jack Hartman grew up in Lafayette with the idea that someday he would be a pastor.  It was at one of our church camps during his senior high years that the idea was linked to a calling to ministry in the local church.  Jack’s passion has been to share the good news of Jesus with others so that they could fully realize God’s presence in their lives.

Jack spent forty years in full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church and was a District Superintendent for five of those years.  During this time period, Jack served as chair of the Conference Camps and Conferences, Chair of the Conference Council on Finance and Administration, and Chair of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.  He retired in June of 2010.

Since 2012 Jack has served as a part-time Associate Director of Church Development for the Indiana Conference United Methodist Church and has worked particularly in the redevelopment of existing congregations. He has served as a consultant with over fifty churches in the Indiana Conference. Jack has also served four U.M. churches as an interim pastor: Lebanon Centenary, Monticello, Delphi, St. Andrew (West Lafayette).  In two cases this was coverage during a pastor’s Lilly sabbatical.

Jack has three hobbies: woodworking, photography, and golf… although he is quick to mention there were times he was glad no one was taking pictures of his golf shots.  He and his wife Carolyn like to travel to places that offer opportunities for nature photography.

Another Leg of Pastor Tracey’s Sabbatical Journey…
Some of you are aware that my father, mother and brother are deceased and that my sister, Vicki, who lives in Johnstown, PA is the only surviving member of my family of origin.  Due to distance, we don’t get to spend as much time together as we’d like.  Both of us enjoy traveling and, for many years, have talked about an historic Route 66 vacation.  For one week of my sabbatical, Vicki and I will fly into Albuquerque, NM, rent a car, and drive Rt. 66 from there to the Hoover Dam and back.

 In Benedict’s time, it was not uncommon for people to go into the wilderness as hermits to seek God.  But Benedict believed strongly that we grow closer to Christ through relationship with one another.  John Wesley also believed that our faith grows best in the context of supportive and accountable Christian community.  The Methodist movement began when John and Charles Wesley formed their “holiness club” at Oxford University.  Early Methodism was structured around small grounds (named bands and societies).  One might consider Wesley the inventor of the small group movement!
Benedict established his monastery around three primary vows: stability, fidelity and obedience.

• Stability meant a lifelong commitment to remain in one place with one group of people.  When Benedictines join a monastic community, they remain with that same community throughout their life unless there is a very good reason for making a change.  Benedict reminds us that, wherever we go, the work of building Christian community is going to be difficult.  In our day, people sometimes hop from church to church looking for a church that will offer them everything they want.  But Christian community isn’t a product to be purchased; it is a relationship to be forged over time that joins our best efforts with the work of the Holy Spirit.  Benedict believed we grow best as we are “rubbed against one another’s rough edges.”
• (Building on this idea) fidelity to the monastic way of life required an openness to allow one’s self to be shaped and molded by the community; a willingness to listen to others and not run away when community becomes difficult.  It also meant a willingness to be satisfied with what our expression of Christian community has to offer.  Once again, sometimes people run from churches when there is the slightest hint of conflict.  But disagreement is an inevitable part of life and provides the opportunity for us to learn to love in the midst of differences.
• Obedience was related to each monk’s relationship to the abbot or prioress… which is obviously not applicable to a congregational setting.  However, this obedience was grounded in Benedict’s belief that each person must be welcomed as if they are Christ.  Benedictines are well known for their hospitality toward guests.  Jesus reminds us in the Parable we call The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) that the way we treat the most vulnerable among us is truly our response to Jesus.  He says, “just as you did it to one of the least of these… you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).  

One person recently remarked to me that, even as beautiful as our church building is, the real beauty is found in the people.  What does your experience of Christian community at Trinity mean to you?  I would love to hear your thoughts.