Column: Missoula groups help broaden religious vision for pastor, for community
May 31, 2014 6:30 am • Rich Perry
Last week, Vicki Horn wrote very movingly and sensitively about her upcoming retirement from clergyperson at Grace United Methodist Church. Her sharing prompted me to reflect on the changes in my own life as pastor at St. Francis Xavier church.
I came to this beautiful valley 13 years ago and have been treated quite well by my church community and my Missoula community. It is not too far-fetched to say that both have schooled me over the years and changed me into a far different person and priest than when I arrived, especially my congregation. I believe every pastor in this county can say the same thing.
But what stood out to me about my time here at SFX are two organizations connected with the various religious communities in our town and county: the Missoula Ministerial Association and the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative. By participating in these two groups of clergypersons as often as I could, my vision and experience of religion has broadened and deepened.
I have learned a lot from the devotion and dedication, the commitment and depth of service, of those women and men who share a common ministry together. It is through this particular group of ministers to the people of Missoula that we have found 12 churches to serve as host communities for the Family Promise program, which alleviates at least a little bit the problem of family homelessness in and around Missoula.
http://missoulian.com/lifestyles/faith-and-values/religion/community-of-faith-column-missoula-groups-help-broaden-religious-vision/article_91abaa28-e827-11e3-987b-001a4bcf887a.html