By JUDY A. TOTTS
Religion Editor

BRUNSWICK — The calendar pages taped above the desk in the pastor’s office at Brunswick United Church of Christ are filled with names and events. They are a journal of church life, stepping stones of days on their path of faith, but the minister hasn’t seen them for weeks.

For the last few years, the Rev. Steve Coates, pastor of Brunswick United Church of Christ, juggled the major roles of his life, flying to the West Coast to assist his father in Seattle, then returning to the church to resume pastoral duties. About two months ago, he made the decision — with the blessing of the congregation — to take a sabbatical in order to care for his dad full time.

Instead of requesting an interim pastor, members of the congregation stepped up to the plate. It’s their turn at bat, and they’re hitting home runs as they bring the message every Sunday, visit the sick and run the programs.

“We’re doing things we never thought we could do,” said Jean Scott, minister of healing and spiritual life.

Julie Silvestro, member of the elder committee and a worship leader, likened it to Joel Osteen’s analogy of a mother eagle teaching her babies to fly.

“The mommy eagle drops them out of the nest, but she catches them until the babies can fly on their own,” Silvestro said. “Pastor Steve has been our mommy eagle for the past 10 years. He’s encouraged us to step out of our comfort zone. I think we’re all baby eagles at some point. Now we’re ready to fly, we are flying and soon we’ll be soaring.”

“What we’re doing in this church is Steve’s dream for us,” said Sandy O’Hare, ordained as minister of missions and an elder of the church. “Each of us has a gift to share, like Barb (Hubal) with computer skills. She designed our Web site.”

“That’s still growing,” Hubal said. “Like us, it’s a work in progress.”

They stay in touch with Coates, who continues to act as spiritual adviser for the eight-member group serving as worship leaders.

“We have new dreams,” Hubal said. “In some respects, this (Coates’ absence) is a blessing, because we’re looking at it as an opportunity for growth. Two years ago, I never thought I could stand up and deliver a message.”

“And we appreciate more what Pastor Steve did before,” O’Hare said. “We’d come to church, everything was beautiful and we never realized how much work he did.”

In addition to the regular 10:30 a.m. Sunday service, with children’s Sunday school during worship, the church offers programs designed to nurture mind, body and spirit, with Bible study, a monthly meditation group, healing circle and twice-weekly tae kwon do classes. Members support a community lunch on the last Saturday of the month and a food pantry.
Holy Communion is offered on the first Sunday every month.

The group hopes to bring back the lecture series Coates introduced several years ago, offer retreat days and introduce more children’s programs. The church will host an open house June 8, with a picnic after the service.

Worship leaders said the mission statement best describes the spirit of the church as “a community of God’s people directed by the members of the congregation and dedicated to an open minded search for spiritual connection and meaning. Upholding faithfully to Christian values, we respect and honor diversity, provide outreach to the community, ecological responsibility and service to one another.”

For more information, visit the church Web site at www.brunswick-ucc.org or call 330-225-8813.
Totts may be reached at religion@ohio.net or 330-721-4063.