Most of us have gone through retreats, training conferences or visioning exercises with groups. We were given a limited number of Post-It notes to use to write down SWOT issues (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Then we went forward and stuck them to a big poster. The facilitator then read them, and some kind of new picture of the group would come into focus.More than a few times, my church has had the congregation fill out the Post-Its attached to the Sunday bulletin. Put down what you want the church to pray for were the instructions. Or write what you think Christ wants from you. Or if the church started one new ministry, what should it be?Such exercises allow for blue-sky thinking and they even allow for people to take risks especially if there is a modicum of anonymity. Ideas suddenly all have equal weight on the wall. The pastors idea has the same feasibility as that put up by the newest member.John Chuchman, a Scottsdale writer and Catholic who summers in
Michigan, tells about a truly exciting experience he had at the liturgy at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Minneapolis, Minn, led by the Rev. Jim DeBruycker.
They actually asked all of their parishioners (4,500 families) for their dreams, hopes, wishes for future Church and then proudly display them on screen in church. Those were put into a collection basket and later examined and made public.
I was there and loved it! Chuchman said. “There are priests around the country speaking to people where they are despite the oppressive rule of careerist bishops,” Chuchman argues. “And there are parishes around the country helping church be all they can be, rather than trying to make it what it was and can never be again,” he said.”St. Joan of Arc respects its parishioners and honors their canon law rights and obligations to speak their needs, wishes, and opinions,” said Chuchman, a pastoral bereavement educator and author of many books, including I Love My Church, But Oh, My God; Springtime in Autumn and WE are Church.; and Growth Through Loss and Love: Sacred Quest.Here are some statements made by the
Minneapolis parish was not afraid to display, he said:
I dream of a church where no one feels alone.I dream of a church that values my gender.
I dream of a church that risks to reach out unconditionally.
I dream of a church where God blesses everyone, no exceptions!
I dream of a church entirely in love with God and each other.
I dream of a church with a liturgy that addresses female as well as male, also in (the)prayer response instead of saying “Lord, hear our prayer,” we would say, “Lord makeus peacemakers.” We should be doing it, not God!
I dream of a church where good people aspire to remain involved.I dream of a church of healthy schools for children to grow.
I dream of a church willing to rediscover itself, to embrace ancient wisdom and modernprophets.I dream of a church where those who would like to divide us by religion would sitdown and embrace others.
I dream of a church that continues to embrace the vision of Vatican II.
I dream of a church wherein all of its halls would be paintings.
I dream of a church more accessible to the disabled community, especially the blind.
I dream of a church that does not judge.
I dream of a church concentrating on love, peace, compassion — no boundaries.
I dream of a church living out loud — no secrets.I dream of a church that lasts forever.I dream of a church with more parking.
I dream of a church ALIVE!I dream of a church where church leaders take risks to follow the lead and word ofJesus.
I dream of a church where everyone knows how to forgive the people and the thingsthat keep them from peace.
I dream of a church where every person is openly welcome to communion.I dream of a church that loves and speaks the truth.I dream of a church with self-waxing floors.
These expressions also can be found on the parish’s web site: www.stjoan.com/bulletinfr.htm
