Over the weekend of March 26-27, six Pilgrims traveled to Memphis to observe and explore the ways that First Congregational Church [1st Congo] transformed from a struggling church with a handful of members 23 years ago into the vibrant and vital church it is today.
The six of us met for lunch on Saturday at the restaurant in the same shop that Elvis’ mom used to get her hair done. It was literally a stone’s throw from the church. We were Mark Barnett, Sarah Coffin, Larry Gaines, Jenny Heim, Carol Moakley and Mark Robinson. Mark B and Sarah got a head start on the weekend by attending a presentation about the emergent church also held that weekend in Memphis.
After lunch we met with Rev. Cheryl Cornish. She went to Memphis 23 years ago after serving our church in Augusta, MO. She spoke to us about the early struggles with the dying church and the decision to move to their present location.
We met with her for three hours asking her about history and process and getting a tour of the church building they now occupy.
One of the occupants of their building is the Global Goods Store which is much like Plowsharing Crafts. They house a counseling service, a team of midwives who work mostly with immigrant populations, and dozens of other organizations. The part of the building we stayed in [in the hostel] also housed a bicycle repair and renovation shop. For more about the programs at the church you can review their web site.
On Sunday morning before worship this space was crowded with a diverse collection of members and visitors drinking coffee, eating baked goods, and listening to live music. The sound of drumming called everyone together into the renovated sanctuary.
This used to be a theater with theater seating [still extant in the balcony] but a substantial loan from the national UCC helped them clear out the space and add the new floor which includes a labyrinth.
We found the members to be eager to talk to us. This couple stood in the cold and chatted with us about their history with the congregation and what it means to them to be a part of it.
We will be working to present a consensus report on what we found and what we recommend for Pilgrim.
