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| Rector United Methodist Church's annual pumpkin patch draws the community to the church. |
Spirit sweeping invites changeBy Emily Reece
The Rev. Danette Howell has experienced many transitions in a life devoted to service. Before becoming a United Methodist pastor, she protected her community as a police officer.
Pastor of Rector United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Howell has also experienced transitions as an ordained minister. After serving as an associate pastor for a large, affluent congregation in San Antonio, she was appointed to 74-member Rector, just outside the city.
Familiar with the San Antonio community, Howell understands the economic challenges facing the predominantly Hispanic congregation in southwest Bexar County. Despite obstacles, this small congregation is a place of vital ministry. Economic development, including a planned automobile assembly plant within miles of the church, offers impetus for congregational change.
"Rector Church is a little congregation making a giant mark on its community," Howell said excitedly. With an average worship attendance of 37, Rector Church had been in decline for many years. Today the church feeds more than 350 people each month through a community food bank. Worship experiences include guitar music and multimedia presentations. The congregation has a role in several community activities.
The change started about three years ago. Howell said it came "through prayer, much patience and perseverance. The question was, 'How do we begin?' After prayer, we simply started by cleaning house -- literally going through each room and throwing lots of 'stuff' away. Cleaning carpets, painting the building and de-cluttering marked the first steps in transitioning our attitudes toward others."
The congregation embraced Igniting Ministry tools and resources, striving to become a certified welcoming congregation (www.ignitingministry.org). Howell said, "Other answers came slowly over time and continue to evolve as we faithfully seek God's will in our lives and the life of Rector."
In the beginning, prior to changing worship space and style, the church had to change attitudes.
"Needless to say," Howell commented, "some folks really liked things as they were. Some left and found other places. We loved those folks through it all. Still, we continued the journey we felt -- and feel -- God is calling us to pursue. As attitudes about doing things for others grew, we began transitioning worship and the worship space."
"Once we were convinced it wasn't about us," Howell said, "we also began thinking of others and their needs. On Tuesday evenings, we have spaghetti dinners that feed youth from the community around the church. Their parents attend parenting classes. Dinners also include folks attending 12-step programs that take place in the church building."
As members approached Howell with ideas, she helped them get started and then let them roll. "We are experimenting. Nothing is permanent. We start a few things and work to perfect them and then think about other things."
She believes this attitude helps people participate in the transition. It honors their gifts and passions.
"Our ministries arise from the giftedness of our members. People working in their giftedness don't burn out. They thrive!"
--Emily Reece is director of training for Igniting Ministry,
a ministry of United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn.
