Congregational Life Centre
Our mission is to help leaders aceuire
the skills and attitudes they need to lead
What is Happening at Hillhurst
And why it is working
An interview with Lea Meadows
Lea Meadows was just finishing her term as chair of the Board at Hillhurst when we talked to her. She is enthusiastic about what is happening there. When she arrived some years ago she said there were about 30 people in the choir and 35 in the congregation, three or four small children and no teenagers. The gift was those who were there were incredibly warm and welcoming.
Then John Pentland was called. "He said his mission was to connect the congregation with the world outside," Lea told us. It was not to be an inward looking congregation, but one with an outward orientation. That resonated for Lea. Her father was a United Church clergy working for aboriginal people and social justice in the '60s and '70s.
Lea has a background in transformational change at her workplace. She feels the congregation are doing all the right things to make that happen for them. "John is very talented at identifying the right leaders at the right time," she has observed. What's more, the Board will let chair positions remain vacant rather than recruit the wrong person.
A small group of people worked with John and an external consultant to identify where the congregation was and where they wanted to be. "It was a hugely engaging process," Lea affirmed. "We had three Sundays where some 150 people stayed for lunch to talk about who we are, what we are, and what we want to be." That happened over an eight month time period - hard work for the committee but it kept the congregation engaged.
As a result, they identified three values which Lea calls "lode stones", bench marks which guide everything the congregation does. There was some faith involved, because as in any transformational process you never know what the results are going to be. "The journey unfolds beneath your feet as you step out," was Lea's comment.
The values they identified were hospitality, spirituality and social justice. They have been very helpful. "If someone says, 'We really should be doing X' and that fits with one of the three values, then okay, go for it," is the reaction. "What support do you need to make it happen?" is the only question.
One of the first things John Pentland did was start a Wednesday Bible Study that was looking at the scripture for the following Sunday. For Lea those sessions broke open her faith. They now call it "Lunch to Live By" to get away from the old fashioned terminology "Bible Study."
Lea feels the Monday night courses offered over the past five years have provided absolutely phenomenal opportunities to grow both emotionally and intellectually. They include what it means to be a member of the United Church of Canada and what it means to be a child of God.
Hospitality has always been a gift of the congregation. The first time Lea walked into the sanctuary she felt at home. "It's not 'Oh good, she's new. I wonder if I can get her on my committee.' Its 'Oh good. She's new. Who are you? Where have you been? And why are you here?'"
Greg Powell is the chair of Outreach. He puts wheels under the congregation's commitment to social justice. "He has created a solid core of people who are passionate about a variety of issues. Because of his committee's work we have been instigators of demonstrations and protests around various environmental issues. We have had workshops run in the church on how to be an urban gardener and grow the hundred mile diet. Because of his passion and that of others we are launching a housing project."
The congregation has a large Board, 20 people. When there is a task to be done, Lea told us, "You don't do it alone. You involve more and more people. You tell two friends and they tell two friends."
The congregation is dealing with the pains of growth. The congregation had 38 members when they called John Pentland. "We are now dealing with a sanctuary where we don't have enough chairs." The changes to the worship experience have lead to tension, but Lea feels it is a creative tension. "The Holy Spirit resides in that tension."
This is a congregation where everyone is welcome, no matter where they are in their spiritual journey. They live out their motto: "Whoever you are, Wherever you are at, Join us on the journey."
Lea Meadows is Past Chair, Hillhurst United Church.
"Leadership Ventures" Congregational Life Newsletter. October 2010. Volume 17 No. 2.