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FROM MY HEART TO YOURS….

On July 29th Harry Butman died peacefully at his home in Acton, California. In the coming days and weeks we will hear much of him and his passion for the Congregational Christian Way. Of his many speeches, pamphlets, articles and books my favorite is his address to the National Association’s Annual Meeting in Taunton, MA in 1970 (I was about to enter Bangor Seminary - Harry’s Alma Mater). The title of the address was “Avatars of the Idea.” Avatar means to incarnate, to make real, to put into practice.

It was a prophetic word, a historical synopsis, and a call to carry on our Christian work. It was the quintessential Butman – articulate, poetic, witty, and forceful. Toward the end of the lecture, he listed heroes of our Way in poetic verse. Among them were Browne, Greenwood, Barrow, Robinson, Wise, Mather, Archibald, Davies, Russell, and Bradshaw. He ended the section with “Where are they now? Do they live forever?...The poetry of memory is not enough for now…The prose of our marching orders must have a cadence, a compelling beat. Our eyes must shine with its vision, our hands do its work, our feet carry it into tomorrow.”

He was truly an avatar of the ideals of Christianity in the Congregational tradition and will be greatly missed. Though no one lives forever, he was with us for years beyond the norm and for that we thank God. One final imperative from Harry – “A fellowship for which the Spirit of God is a living reality will have vitality – numerical, financial, organization. But the Spirit must come before these things.”
 

Grace and Peace,
Dr. Thomas M. Richard, Executive Secretary
 

NEVER TOO LATE TO SAY THANK YOU….

In case you missed the thank you at the Annual Meeting in Kansas City: There were dozens of phone calls, emails, and personal notes sent to me from leaders, pastors, and congregations in the NA when my brother Christian died last Spring. Since this is the first issue of the NANEWS since May I wanted to respond. Words cannot express what it meant to me, LeeAnne, and our family. It was very helpful and healing to be remembered in prayer. God bless you for your care.

                        -Tom Richard
 

The Congregational Communicator, a new marketing newsletter published by the Communication Services Committee, will begin publication this fall.

The newsletter will offer a variety of ideas and resources to help increase participation at local churches. Information on reaching both outsiders and people already attending churches will be included in the program.

The Congregational Communicator is the centerpiece of a Communication Services Committee program to help local churches improve their marketing projects. It was developed following a pilot advertising program for several New Hampshire churches conducted by the NACCC office earlier this year. Information on the advertising program is included in the newsletter’s $25 subscription fee.

                                   Alan Seltzer, Communications Services