Christmas Eve 24 years later

Christmas 2013 is a season of "firsts' for my church as well as myself.  

Raub United Methodist Church in Earl Park, Indiana is my first appointment as a Licensed Local Pastor.  I was sent in following the death of the previous pastor and charged with helping the church to grieve and begin moving forward again.  Up to this point, things worked, not always well, but we got things done.

Not too long ago, I inquired about Christmas and the traditions they held from the past and was informed that they have not celebrated Christmas Eve or Day for the last 24 years.  I then informed them of my plan to begin a new tradition and my plans were met with indifference.  The biggest complaint was that they stopped going out of the way to hold a service because there were no children in the congregation and waht was the point.  One even balked about wasting electric to run the heat!

I set about to involve as many of the congregation as possible in the planning and execution of the service as possible.  As we are located in a rural area without many lights, I set out to line the road with lanterns and challenged the congregation to collect 100 1 gallon plastic milk jugs.  We got close with 85.  We cut the side out, put in some sand and a tea light and set them out about an hour before the service.  My wife and I agreed that  if we had us and one more person attend that we would call it a success.  Also part of the plan was I wanted t reach out to the community so they cold be reminded that we were still there.  I launched OPERATION:Christmas Cookie.  We were going to drop off plates of cookies to businesses that were still open as well as hospitals, fire and police stations after the service.

My wife made a bunch so we had something in case no cookie donations or people showed up.  Now for the fun part!!!!!!!

We had 31 people attend the service including 8 from the community that we can classify as unchurched.  As for the cookies, we took home most of what we brought and still have a bunch left over because of the outpouring from everyone.

What they needed was a reason to be needed.  What they needed was to be reminded of why we celebrate Christmas and have a goal set for them to work to.  I am so much looking forward to what Christmas 2014 brings.  I really believe the Lord has great things in store for this small church in the country.

Chris Kosary - pastor