By Revs. Dennis Daniel & Sydney Wilde
This congregation has been so influential in Hyde Park and in Chicago in the past that its heritage has become something of a mask and a burden – Saul’s armor on David, perhaps. Because you were so active for Social Justice a generation ago, you still think of the church as having that focus when the truth is that you no longer have access to the seats of power and, except for a few individuals, you no longer have the passion. Everyone is proud of the church’s role in civil rights and the integration of Hyde Park; and the creation of the Chicago Children’s Choir was truly a meaningful contribution to the life of Chicago, but those days have passed. The work for civil rights has taken new shape and form, and the Children’s Choir has matured and left home and it has its life to lead and we now have ours. We want to assure you that this is not a bad thing; the congregation has changed in many ways and has many strengths. It just isn’t the same as it was years ago, but its self-concept has not kept up with the realities. To a certain extent, basking in past glories prevents doing meaningful work in the present. It might be helpful to keep reminding ourselves that that was then, this is now, and now is the time when we have to do our living. We shouldn’t judge ourselves by the accomplishments of a different time, nor should we refrain from doing significant work in the community because we can’t muster the resources and influence that characterized the past.
7. Growth Potential
We face a lot of competition for new members, Hyde Park has so many churches and so few inhabitants. Growth must come from offering things that people need but that other congregations can’t or won’t provide. Some of the possibilities are: an RE program that honors the questions that kids bring and that teaches them to think holistically; an openness to gays, lesbians, and transgendered people; a racially integrated congregation; a religion that encourages people to honor their own experiences of the sacred and to develop their own theologies; a religion that embraces scientific thought and explores its ramifications for the spiritual life; a religion that is open to and interested in the truths of other religions. All this and more is available here. What is lacking is the understanding that we have a mission to make it all available to the widest possible population. We will not grow if we think in terms of our needing new members. We can grow if we think in terms of our being called to be a voice crying in the wilderness, of our giving comfort to the people, of our working in the community to improve the lives of the widows, orphans and sojourners, and speaking a message that needs to be heard in today’s world in Hyde Park.
A change in attitude is necessary for growth to happen. We have to start programming for the groups we have a special message for, rather than programming only for ourselves. And we have to think in terms of how we can help people make a meaningful contribution to their community. Growth comes from the vitality and fulfillment of those attached to the church. It comes from the encouragement of religious vocation. It comes from being the kind of church that people need rather than from focusing on how much we need them. It also requires getting our message out into the community by advertising and word of mouth. We will grow if we tell all the people we know what we have to offer. Growth starts when we ourselves grow in spirit and generosity and dedication. The first change has to take place in each of us. Congregational growth will happen when each present member is able to say, "I am the ambassador of this church to the larger world."
Where are the Ministers
From February 2 through February 10 Dennis and Sydney will be combining business with pleasure and taking their winter break in California, where Dennis’ children reside. In an emergency, John Else, Cindy Carroll, and Julie Neuman will all know how to reach them, or messages can be left on their home voice mail, which will be checked daily (773-643-3019). The rest of the month they will be keeping regular office hours and are available by appointment for pastoral or church concerns. Remember that Sydney is in the office from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Mondays; Dennis is in the office from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Thursdays. One or the other or both are in the office from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesdays. Whichever is not in the church office may be reached at the home study (773-643-3019). Please feel free to call.
Dennis and Sydney can also be reached by e-mail: WildeDan@aol.com (Dennis) and Rainbow43@aol.com (Sydney)