In its strictest sense, our church's relationship with Del
Ray is one of landlord and tenant – contracted for a five-year lease. Good
fences are being constructed around that understanding. Also, Del Ray exists to host
Twelve Step groups – approximately 65 weekly, with 150 persons daily – that built their own institutional
fences several generations ago. Note this excerpt from the
official Alcoholics Anonymous Preamble – authorized in 1947, and read at
meetings worldwide every day: “AA is not allied with any sect, denomination,
politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any
controversy, neither endorses nor opposes any causes.”
“Good
fences make good neighbors.” Given these landlord-tenant and AA Preamble fence pickets,
how might the well-oiled gate of Bethesda Presbyterian's hospitality swing open?
Both Bethesda Presbyterian and Del Ray – in very specific and distinctive
ways – offer spiritual healing. Our Church Vision is “A Place For Healing”,
and Del Ray’s mere placement among us represents one fulfillment of that
vision. Through this fence gate, we can expect the Holy Spirit – whose arrival
we celebrated May 27, the Day of Pentecost – to generate creative healing
partnership opportunities between our two organizations. Not in
an allied way to the world; AA’s Preamble clearly prohibits that. But certainly
in a relationally redemptive way.
In my general networking as well as casual research, I have discovered no template for a faith community housing a Twelve Step clubhouse -- and there are countless of both. How to build the fence between two organizations focused on spiritual healing? Where, and when, to open the gate?
Feel free to enjoy our Welcome Del Ray photo album on both our church's website and our Facebook site!
