Rev. Brian Donovan of Raymond Village Community Church says that it’s no secret that mainline churches are struggling and closing and to survive, he’s accepted that his church is going to have to adapt to doing things in a new way.
 |
| Raymond Village Community Church's congregation has re-embraced its historic roots and is focusing on community relevance and starting to see many great things happening. FILE PHOTO |
“Two UCC churches in Maine closed just this last year,” Donovan said. “As such, the people of Raymond Village Community Church (RVCC) have been trying to discover ways to be there for the community and remain open; because our faith is to follow God and be here for everyone who is looking for a non-judgmental, welcoming community.”
He said that is the reason that the people of RVCC called upon him to lead them as their pastor and teacher.
“"I have been with and served many churches over the years,” Donovan said. “And though there are wonderful people in every church, I have never seen a community where everyone is loving and supportive of everyone else. They truly are living their faith, not just saying that they believe."
The Raymond Village Community Church building was constructed in 1878 and became chartered with the Congregational Society. At that time, it was part of a multi-church Presumpscot Union Parish. A vestry was added in 1960 and then later an addition was built for classrooms and office space. In 1986, the Presumpscot Union Parish dissolved, and the Raymond Village Community Church affiliated with the United Church of Christ denomination. Under the UCC affiliation, RVCC became a community church that draws its members from a variety of spiritual backgrounds and a wide spectrum of theological perspectives.
When Donovan was hired as RVCC pastor, he says that the original goal was to unify with another church in the local area.
“During my first year, I also served the wonderful people of the First Congregational Church of Gray,” he said. “We discussed merging with this beautiful community; however, it did not feel right for everyone. After this first year, the RVCC tried a more direct approach with North Windham Union Church, which we faithfully tried to unify with over the last year. Sadly, this merger was not meant to happen for a variety of reasons.”
Since that merger didn’t happen, Donovan said the RVCC congregation has re-embraced its historic roots of a community church and has focused on community relevance and has seen many great things starting to happen.
“First, we started sharing our space for a minimal usage cost and below standard cost with Raymond Parks and Recreation, Age Friendly Raymond, and a Rwandan-based church just starting in this area,” he said. “These endeavors are being done to support both the community of Raymond and Christianity.”
Along with that effort, RVCC is continuing to support school programs and the local food pantry with donations and trying out new ways to reconnect with the community.
“We have also begun looking at worship on not just Sundays or in different ways to engage people where they are, not just how it has been prescribed to all of us over the years.” Donovan said. “We continue to support youth and provide them opportunities by seeking high school musicians, so, they have a chance to grow their talents in a safe and supportive way.”
The church is also looking at having community movie nights, dinners, and mission engagements to help bring life to its faith and spirituality in the Raymond community.
“Finally, RVCC is a church open to and accepting of everyone's voice; so, we could do almost anything as long as it is faithful,” Donovan said. “Yes, anything you bring to the community could be what we do over the next year.”
But despite all these new initiatives and efforts, Donovan says RVCC is still facing a future where it may not be here as a church because it is financially struggling.
“More than funding support, we need you to join us in supporting one another, our community, and following our creator,” he said. “We need you to try RVCC out again because we are trying church in a new way, a way that involves hearing your voice and meeting you where you need all of us. I hope you will join us as we explore our faith together in a new way.”
RVCC will host a Traditional Family Friendly Candlelight Service at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24. Donovan said that everyone will be welcome to attend this special service and it will highlight the talents of the church’s former and current student-musicians as well as featuring the vocal talents of two different soloists. <
When Donovan was hired as RVCC pastor, he says that the original goal was to unify with another church in the local area.
“During my first year, I also served the wonderful people of the First Congregational Church of Gray,” he said. “We discussed merging with this beautiful community; however, it did not feel right for everyone. After this first year, the RVCC tried a more direct approach with North Windham Union Church, which we faithfully tried to unify with over the last year. Sadly, this merger was not meant to happen for a variety of reasons.”
Since that merger didn’t happen, Donovan said the RVCC congregation has re-embraced its historic roots of a community church and has focused on community relevance and has seen many great things starting to happen.
“First, we started sharing our space for a minimal usage cost and below standard cost with Raymond Parks and Recreation, Age Friendly Raymond, and a Rwandan-based church just starting in this area,” he said. “These endeavors are being done to support both the community of Raymond and Christianity.”
Along with that effort, RVCC is continuing to support school programs and the local food pantry with donations and trying out new ways to reconnect with the community.
“We have also begun looking at worship on not just Sundays or in different ways to engage people where they are, not just how it has been prescribed to all of us over the years.” Donovan said. “We continue to support youth and provide them opportunities by seeking high school musicians, so, they have a chance to grow their talents in a safe and supportive way.”
The church is also looking at having community movie nights, dinners, and mission engagements to help bring life to its faith and spirituality in the Raymond community.
“Finally, RVCC is a church open to and accepting of everyone's voice; so, we could do almost anything as long as it is faithful,” Donovan said. “Yes, anything you bring to the community could be what we do over the next year.”
But despite all these new initiatives and efforts, Donovan says RVCC is still facing a future where it may not be here as a church because it is financially struggling.
“More than funding support, we need you to join us in supporting one another, our community, and following our creator,” he said. “We need you to try RVCC out again because we are trying church in a new way, a way that involves hearing your voice and meeting you where you need all of us. I hope you will join us as we explore our faith together in a new way.”
RVCC will host a Traditional Family Friendly Candlelight Service at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24. Donovan said that everyone will be welcome to attend this special service and it will highlight the talents of the church’s former and current student-musicians as well as featuring the vocal talents of two different soloists. <
No comments:
Post a Comment