	Viewpoint: From the Corner Office

November 16, 2006	Volume 1, Number 5

“We need a way to refer to our church in the f= uture tense, not the past tense.” “A name gives reality, life, breath, and uniqu= eness to an idea, and the power to name is holy.”	What’s In a Name? The idea of a new name for our church has been discu= ssed for several years. “New name” was included in our original Transformation Plan approved by the congregation. To the chagrin of some,= we were overoptimistic in what we could accomplish in those first months = 211; or perhaps the time was not yet right. The Holy Spirit had not moved us sufficiently through the journey of creating a new and vital church to be considering a new name. The time is now right, and a new name is part of a new identity for us and for the community to see. We need a way to refer = to our church in the future tense, not the past tense. There are two things = to talk and pray about … the “why” of a new name, and the “how.” I’ll talk here about the “why.” You&= #8217;ll hear more about the “how” at the Vision Team’s FutureTalk on Sunday, November 19 after worsh= ip. Throughout scripture we read about the power of a na= me, and the powerful act of naming. Adam had the power to name all of the creatur= es. Parents named their children and the text usually tells us what the name means and why it was chosen. It represented a characteristic or the holy destiny of= a person. Often it was divinely inspired. Speaking the name of God was, and= is, clothed in praise, gratitude, petition and yearning. In the Bible, the traditional name of God (Yahweh, in English) is so powerful that it is not written out in Hebrew, nor is it spoken aloud by observant Jews even toda= y. It is said that the most beautiful sound in any language is the sound of = your own name, especially if spoken with love. Many faith traditions ha= ve moving naming ceremonies for newborns. We think carefully about what a na= me says about us at times of life transition: marriage, divorce, widowhood. A name gives reality, life, breath, and uniqueness to an idea, and the powe= r to name is holy. We are claiming that power now, as a church, and as we look with optimism to the days and years ahead. We will not lose our identity. As a legal entity, we= can continue to be registered with the state as F= irst Congregational Church.= More importantly, the church is its people, the Body of Christ in = this place. This church is not a building or a location. As we go forward, giv= ing ourselves a new name gives reality to the new vision, and makes it alive.= Our current name is dated, and a new name will tell the community that modern people, seeking God, are part of this church. It reminds me of the UCC po= ster that reads: “Our fait= h is 2,000 years old, our thinking is not.”
	A study of current culture as is pertains to churches reveals that loyalty to old denominational labels has all but disappeared= in the U.S. Few people choose a church because it is Methodist or Congregational. They may choose a church because their family has attended for generations, but most choose a church because it meets their spiritual and practical needs, because of its leadership, because of the connections they can make and the ways they can serve through that church. In fact, if they have had deadening experiences in the past with church, they may be negatively attuned to certain denominational labels. “United Church of Christ” has pecial currency because it is a new denomination and more importantly because its initiat= ives through public engagement in issues of social justice, and the God Is Sti= ll Speaking campaign have given it an exciting new face nationwide. FCCRC has a number of new communication vehicles that currently say “First Congregational Church of Redwood City, United Church of Christ” – a mouthful. We are eager to take one more step by embracing a new name. It is like a birth. Could a baptism be in t= he offing? As to the “how” … many of you participated in the initial brainstorming of names early in 2006. All of those suggestions were brought before the Vision Team last month. In a prayerful process, the Team narrowed the choices down to five. Several factors went into the narrowing. It was decided to claim clearly our iden= tity in the United Church of Christ, which all people now understand to include our Congregational heritage as well as a broadly inclusive welcome to oth= er traditions. It was decided to keep the name short, modern, and memorable,= and not to use words which were so “Biblical” as to be un-understandable or off-putting to those disconnected from church. It was decided to focus on terms of more general spiritual meaning and appeal. On Sunday, November 19, the Vision Team will lead a FutureTalk on choosing a new name. The options before us are: &= nbsp; - New Spirit United Church of Christ &= nbsp; - New Hope United Church of Christ<= /st1:PlaceName> &= nbsp; - Peace United C= hurch of Christ &= nbsp; - Grace United C= hurch of Christ &= nbsp; - Open Arms United Church of Christ I invite your prayers and participation in the holy process of naming who we are as God’s people. Peace and grace be with you, Pastor Carol
	First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ<= /st1:PlaceName> 2= 323 Euclid Ave Redwo= od City CA 94061 650-369-0344 fccrc@fccrc= .cnc.net www.fccrc.cnc.net

Viewpoint: From the Corner Office

What’s In a Name?

Viewpoint:
From the Corner Office