Jessica Bratt, Pastoral Resident Report - Nov 2007
A summary of what has been keeping me occupied since I began at COS on August 1:
Worship/preaching: In the morning services, I have served often as liturgist and have preached once. I have also planned and preached at three evening services. Along with Brion and Jana, I have contributed to two series for evening worship services—a six-week sermon series on the parables of Jesus, and a three-week series on prayer that will take place in November and December.
Young adults: Building on existing momentum from the 20s/30s group that was active last year, I have helped to lead the formation of GROW, a young adult fellowship (the acronym stands for Gathering Friendships, Renewing our Faith, Opening Doors, and Widening our Hearts). I formed a webpage to facilitate communication. Feel free to take a look: http://groups.google.com/group/grow_cos. The email list currently contains about 70 people and I’m adding names as people bring individuals to my attention. The feedback has been really positive so far—there are many young adults, in various stages of life and levels of commitment to the church, who are eager to be more connected to COS and to each other. We’ve had anywhere from 10-25 people at our events so far, which have included a kick-off lunch, a beach trip, a corn maze, and Frisbee golf. Plans for the next few months include Dessert & Discussion series, movie/game nights, service opportunities, a Christmas party, and possibly a ski trip. It is my hope that, in addition to fostering fellowship among young adults, this group would also help individuals’ gifts to be recognized and used in a variety of ways at COS. I have also submitted a budget proposal for GROW.
Companions in Christ: I will be leading a group in the Companions in Christ spiritual formation program; it will most likely consist of 6-7 young adults. We will aim to meet weekly beginning in November.
PHSP: I have met with the past and current elders to the PHSP, a group which is now being called College and Career Folk. I am gradually getting to know some of our college-age people, especially through the first of the monthly meals which took place Oct.7.
Parishes: I will be working with Parishes 3, 4, and 7. I have met with most of the elders from these parishes to become familiar with the parishes and their needs, and I have made a few visits to parish members in the hospital.
Kid’s Hope: I have gone through the application and interview process with Jan and Maureen in order to be a mentor; now I’m just waiting to be assigned a child and to be officially trained!
Girls’ Club: My role as a ‘chaplain’ to the Girls’ Club has been a fun opportunity to meet the girls and some of their parents, as well as the small-group leaders (one of whom I’ve been paired with as a prayer partner). I will occasionally be leading the devotional time at the Wednesday meetings.
Mentoring/supervision/spiritual direction: As with the other residents, I have met frequently with Jack and Dale for meals, informal fellowship, sermon feedback, general support, etc. The three of us will be meeting regularly with Jack to discuss books he’s picked out for us. I have also begun spiritual direction.
Outreach: Naji’s August vacation gave the residents plenty of opportunity to experience handling benevolence requests! It was helpful to learn so early on how to communicate with the deacons and ACCESS in order to know how best to address our neighbors’ needs. Naji is also meeting with the residents regularly to encourage us and to discuss outreach programs and events.
Conferences/continuing education: I attended the CRC’s 150th anniversary conference at Calvin, the fall preaching conference at Calvin Seminary, the pastors’ seminar for “The Seven Passages”, the West Michigan Christian Foundation luncheon, and, in the last week of October, a preaching and leadership event at Princeton Seminary and a course in Pastoral Crisis Intervention in New York co-sponsored by Princeton Seminary, the Red Cross, and the Rabbinical Assembly.
Ordination process: My ordination process with the RCA continues to involve a lot of writing and meetings and interviews, some of which will take me to Brooklyn, Holland MI, and southern California over the course of the next few months. I am trusting in the process, and glad for the people who have been in contact with me from the denomination and the Brooklyn classis.
I’m enjoying my time at COS, and weathering the transitions back to Grand Rapids and into congregational ministry reasonably well so far. Perhaps nothing has bolstered my affection for COS quite so much as hearing the stories of the Sweetmans recently, as they were interviewed and photographed for the congregation’s oral history project that is beginning. Hearing about the early days of COS and the convictions behind its practices and identity helped me to understand the congregation more deeply. I look forward to embracing and being embraced by this church over the next two years.
Jessica
Posted by: Administrator