First Week of Field Ed

Well, I've survived the first seven days of my field education placement at Solid Rock UMC in Cameron, NC.  The church and community I'm serving in this summer are pretty much the polar opposite of my home church, Galloway UMC, and community, Jackson, Mississippi.  Culture shock is the most accurate phrase to describe my transition into my home for the next ten weeks.  I'm slightly ashamed to admit this, but it's the truth I go from worshiping in a big, old, stained glass bedecked, organ music laden, and traditional service to worshiping in a small, metal, multipurpose room, and rock concert atmosphere contemporary service.  

Here are some pictures to give a visual explanation as to the difference I'm talking about:

Galloway Memorial UMC in Jackson, MS - my home church

Solid Rock UMC in Cameron, NC - my Field Education church

The interior of Galloway Memorial UMC

The interior of Solid Rock UMC. Its sanctuary space converts to a children's day care during the week. On Sundays all of the day care equipment is pushed against the wall, and the partitions serve as a prayer wall.  It's a creative use of space, but as you can tell is SUPER different than what I am used to.

Another thing that I have experienced culture shock from is living in a rural community.  I did not appreciate the ready access I had to amenities such as libraries, coffee shops, locally-owned restaurants, and internet.  I am living in Harnett county North Carolina which is a geographical oddity in the fact that it is 30 or 45 minutes away from everything.  I'm used to living in Jackson and Durham, which are towns I would not consider booming metropolises, but if you need anything within reason it's likely a 15-20 minute drive across town.  Being in a rural location on top of the fact that Harnett county is quite poor explains why I don't have the ready access to things that I am used to having.  It has certainly been  a lesson on what my priorities are.  I don't want it to seem that I am complaining!  The people I am living with are fantastic, and the pastor who serves as my supervisor is generous and hospitable to boot; but I guess I have developed an unhealthy sense of entitlement over little things that are not at all important when one looks at the big scheme of things.

Speaking of my host family and supervisor pastor; this summer is going to be a fantastic witness of how diverse and active the Body of Christ is across social, economic, ethnic, cultural, and educational boundaries.  Deborah and James have generously opened up their home to me and my Duke Divinity classmate, Parker.  The house is small, but there is lots of love in it (I know that is cheesey as heck but it's true!)  Deborah and James are two of the most dedicated church-goers I've ever seen, and that includes laity and pastors!  They both attend daily 5:30am group intercessory prayer that meets at the local McDonald's, James picks up food from area grocery stores everyday to take to the church's food pantry ministry, Deborah helps lead the women's Bible study, and they attend Sunday worship!  They are praying people too.  Their prayers before meal or during group meetings are something to witness.  They aren't being overly pious or holier-than-thou, but they prayer genuine and faithful prayers that let you know the Holy Spirit is moving and grooving.  I have much to learn from them about faithfulness and discipleship.  Our supervisor Gil is another post in and of itself.  Let's just say he's the senior pastor of a 5-point circuit, the CEO of a nonprofit that provides affordable community childcare at 3 location, and a husband and father of 3.  He has a vision for a church that meets the unchurched community where they are and seeks to meet all of their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.  Talk about being the hands and feet of God!

This summer I will spend a lot of time working with the church's food pantry ministry called Martha's Place with provides fresh food to the families of Harnett county who need a little extra help.  Martha's Place is a well oiled machine that is run by some VERY dedicated lay volunteers.  Honestly, I felt like I was getting in the way more than helping box food.  Here are a couple of pictures of the food packing process:

Here's Parker standing next to the bread and dessert packing area.  Today we packed enough food to feed over 150, but it was a slow day considering last Wednesday they packed enough for over 300 people.

Here were are sorting fresh fruits and vegetables that local grocery stores donate.  Mrs. Julie on the right is our in-house freshness expert.  She can identify any unusual fruit or veggie and tell you how many more days its good for.  I find such knowledge to be highly impressive.

This summer is going to be and adventure.  I have to opportunity to dive into a community that is very different from my own, but at the same time I will be able to see the commonalities that unite people of faith no matter where or how they worship.  I am not being forced out of my comfort zone... I've been drop kicked out of it.  But as my grandfather's lady friend Ms. Earleen said, "if God leads you to it, God will lead you through it."  I have to say Amen to that.