WHO WE WERE AND WHO WE ARE TODAY
Parish Profile
St. Martin's began its transition toward being both a worshipping center and a caring community for our neighbors August 5, 2007. At that time our membership numbered 12 persons, and included 3 youth. I was convinced then, and am even more so convinced today, that the Spirit of God is at work among us. What's more she doesn't care a fig about numbers. The concern of the Spirit of God is with our heart and our openness to her direction and energy.
It is now December 25, 2008, and there is a sense of anticipation and gratitude for what the Spirit has been doing with us, as we are, where we are.
We have grown inwardly over these last 17 months, and have experienced the presence of support from the larger Episcopal and ecumenical community. We have grown in numbers as well. We have almost doubled from where we began.
We have also tried our wings at opening our doors to be "called ones alongside with our neighbors." (Parakaleo is the Greek New Testament word for this and it is derived from the Greek word for the Spirit of God, Paraclete.) We are and will be a New Testament people, a people of South Omaha, and a people open to the needs of the 21st century.
We understand that being both traditional and open to an emerging future means that we are available to be changed. That means change in keeping with the movement of the Spirit's direction and our on-going work of discernment.
A case in point here is our serving as a catalyst for the development of a teen mother and father program at South Omaha High School. This story begins with an August 6th meeting of clergy and lay from the Episcopal churches in the South Omaha region of the city. Its purpose was to address how we might do mission ministry together. (The details of what happened at this regional meeting are reported on this web site at News / Our Mission and Goal / Imagining our Future for Mission and Ministry in South Omaha, August 7, 2008.)
At the meeting it was noted that South Omaha High School had a new principal, Ms. Cara Riggs and that this would be an important person for St. Martin's to introduce ourselves to. Beth Mincer, a member of St. Martin's, knew Cara Riggs, and made arrangements for a meeting. Three of us, Beth Mincer, Heather Wiseman, member of St. Andrew's, and myself met with her September 13th. About midway through the meeting we asked Cara if there were any unmet needs that "an alongside outside group" might be able to help with. She thought a moment and then said, "Yes, there is. We have 45 teen mothers and there is no way that we can help them with the support they need. Is that an area you could help us with?" We replied, "We will explore this and be back in touch."
A task group was formed. It's members are Deacon Nancy Houston, St. Martha's, Papillion, Beth Mincer, St. Martin's, Deacon Kim Roberts, Trinity Cathedral, Heather Wiseman, St. Andrew's, and myself. On November 17th the task group met with two persons from the Guidance Staff of the High School, Dr. Mary Beth Muskin, Director, Mrs. Laura Laguana, Counselor, and four members of the Visiting Nurses Association Omaha. (The report on this meeting can found on this web site at (News / What a night! Teen Mother’s Project Meeting, Summary Report, 11/11/08.)
January 13, 2009, the draft plan, developed by the Guidance staff, Ames Visiting Nurses Omaha, and EducareOmaha, will be reviewed with the task group. Further refinements for the larger community's involvement will be addressed. The first phase of the support plan will be implemented beginning this coming Second semester.
Yes, few in numbers, but numbers are just not all that important. What is, is openness to the Spirit's nudgings and a willingness to network with all sorts and conditions of persons in the context of unmet needs. We are doing so, and doing so within the context of gathering weekly to worship our God (9 am every Sunday morning) and to remember our neighbors in prayer.
Come be with us. Grow with us inwardly and outwardly. Let us together be "called ones alongside!" This is our profile.
A blessed Christmas to all,
Fr. Ron Whitmer, Dec. 25, 2008