Re: Monetization of Heritage Assets
Rory Razon
yiC,
Rory
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I was going to stay out of the fray, but a fellow congregant asked me directly to weigh in on the proposed monetization of our heritage assets. Please forgive yet another email in your inboxes.
I came to Old South Church one Sunday morning while in the process of “church shopping”. Having grown up in New England I learned about our forebears at the Meeting House in school. Our rich history is in part, what lead me to consider Old South Church. Top notch preaching, a good music program, a well-attended worship service and a welcoming, diverse congregation were just a few things on my list. Well, if you’re getting this email, you are well aware that I found that and so much more Old South.
At Old South I’ve found my spiritual home, a place where I learn and grow, a place where I am challenged and accepted, not in spite of who I am, but because of who I am.
As the hymn goes… I love to tell the story. I love to tell the story of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story.
I have gone back and forth on my position on the sale of these items. I was at one time firmly opposed. As I thought about it carefully and prayed on it with an open heart, I realized something. When I tell the story of Old South, I don’t talk about the silver. I talk about the people. I tell them about Phillis Wheatley and Nancy Taylor. I tell them about Ben Franklin and Vard Johnson . I tell them about William Dawes and William Adams. I tell them about our people.
When I tell the story, our story, I don’t talk about the Bay Psalm book. I talk about our life together. I tell them about the dynamic and engaging preaching, I tell them about Bible study, I tell them about music that stirs the soul, about the mission trips about the Care and Support committee. I tell them about us.
I understand the importance of these items. I treasure them too. When it comes down to it though, it is the story I treasure. I do not believe that selling these items in order to sustain the long term growth of the church in any way betrays the love with which they were given. On the contrary, I see it as using these gifts to widen our ministry and to continue to tell the story, the story of Jesus' love.
Peace and blessings,
Rory S. Razon,
Board of Ministers and Deacons
Deacon Representative to Church Council
"Above all, maintain constant love for one another..."
1 Peter 4:8
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Rory S. Razon
617.903.0062
"Above all, maintain constant love for one another..."
1 Peter 4:8