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View from the Pew  Mary Adamski |
Bearing gifts of love
A fuzzy ministry helps a Makiki church
recover from a time of turmoilOn any given Sunday, the choir pews at First Christian Church are packed solid with bodies of every hue -- white, black, brown, red, yellow. Not to mention parrot green, royal blue and passionate pink.
The Makiki congregation is a racially diverse crowd, as found in many island churches.
The choir crowd is a collection of cuddly, fuzzy toy critters. Meet the "Prayer Bears," a new ministry of the congregation and the brainchild of the new, interim minister.
The Rev. Jon Bullock adapted the name from the 1980s "Care Bear" television show and merchandise marketing phenomenon.
The toys are bound for delivery to any sick, sad or shut-in child or adult, an instantly recognizable gesture of good will. Each carries a tag: "This Prayer Bear has been blessed by its presence in our worship service at First Christian Church. It brings prayers of love, peace and joy to you today and always."
Bullock waxes enthusiastic about the whimsical ministry. "The congregation are bringing bears; other churches have given us bears; we've received bears from as far away as Wisconsin and Nebraska." Used fuzzies in good condition are accepted -- "If they've been hugged before, they bring something extra," he said.
Members have already directed some to hospitalized family and friends and they invite the wider community to notify the church when there is a mission for Prayer Bear. "I will personally deliver on Oahu," said Bullock, and "The church has made the commitment to take on the cost of sending them." Requests for bears have also been received from the mainland.
The sight of the toy choir, which has inspired the church musician to launch into music from "The Muppet Movie," may seem incongruous in a sanctuary that is otherwise traditional. The idea may seem to be "religion lite."
But it's just the lighthearted kind of thing that seems needed right now for a group of people who were coming apart as a Christian community a couple months ago. In internal dissension not unusual even in a church, the church directors chose to fire the former pastor. Some members were irked by the pastor's high profile as a gay rights activist and theorized that it may have made the church the target of a deliberately set fire on Aug. 27 that damaged the church hall. Others were angered at the action and stalked off to seek another church.
DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARBULLETIN.COM
Lorna Soong and the Rev. Jon Bullock sit among some of the teddy bears and other stuffed animals that First Christian Church collects as a gesture of good will for delivery to any sick, sad or shut-in child or adult.
"Healing is taking place," said Bullock, who has served as conciliator in other troubled congregations. Ordained 45 years ago in the Presbyterian Church, he served in California and Idaho churches of differing Protestant denominations before coming to Hawaii 15 years ago. He came here as interim pastor for the former Metropolitan Community Church, which was undergoing internal turmoil.
"Pastoral care is what the congregation here needs," he said. "I'm excited to feel the enthusiasm. Some of the older people are returning. There are people here every day volunteering."
He said the turnout at the Sunday service has risen in the past month after a low count of nine people when he took the job in early November. A good crowd showed up for the pancake breakfast Sunday.
The church is affiliated with the Disciples of Christ denomination, and Bullock stressed the concept of discipleship when six people became members Sunday. "Church is not about in-gathering; this is a ministry ordination to go out."
Whatever the recent turmoil, social justice is still a concern at First Christian Church, he said. Members chose 20 years ago to identify as an "open and affirming congregation," meaning it specifically welcomes homosexuals as members.
Current members underscored that commitment when they chose former pastor Vaughn Beckman, knowing he was gay. They also knew that Bullock was a lobbyist for same-gender marriage when the state Legislature wrestled with the issue in the 1990s.
"It is a very definite commitment, one of our justice issues here at this church," said Bullock. "We believe that God loves us all. We will build on what Vaughn Beckman stands for."
He is seeking ways for the church to have a role in the crowded neighborhood of apartment buildings. "I'm old-fashioned enough to think we can affect change."
Nearby residents already cruise for bargains at the church swap meet on the second Saturday each month. Plans are afoot to install basketball hoops in the parking lot for area youths. He is putting out the word that there is meeting space for 12-step programs.
The welcome mat is out, and not just for people who come bearing bears. "Our doors are open if you want to come in for counseling or drop in to pray," said the convivial clergyman.
A word of warning to returnees and newcomers alike: Even if you're not a cuddly bear, expect to be hugged. It's a favorite form of address that Bullock has perfected with three daughters and six grandchildren.
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Mary Adamski covers religion for the Star-Bulletin.
Email her at madamski@starbulletin.com.
