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Fond memories of the Inclusive Community - by Wayne
Ortelli |
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Hess |
Scaine |
Marge |
Quinn |LeBlanc
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Waldron |
Bailey |
Pavodano |
Wayne |
Gartley
| Ortelli
It was
Judy Vasile who first got Rebecca and me
involved with the Children’s Ministry – at
Old First Church in Passaic. That ministry
later moved to The First Congregational
Church on High Street in Passaic. When I
say we were involved, I really mean
involved.
It was during this period that Rev. Anne
Hess, Pastor of The First Congregational
Church on High Street in Passaic, had an
idea for a truly ecumenical ministry –
Catholics and Protestants worshipping
together as equals. Rev. John Caufield, a
married Roman Catholic priest became part
of vision. This was like a dream come true
for Rebecca (Roman Catholic) and me
(Lutheran). Religion had always been very
important to both of us. Growing up we
went to very different churches, but those
churches were the center of each of our
worlds.
I was previously married and divorced,
Rebecca and I were married by an Episcopal
Priest who was not involved in Parish
Ministry. This made the both of us outlaws
in the Catholic Church. Later, after my
first marriage was annulled, we were
married by a Roman Catholic Priest.
Rebecca was pregnant with our second child
at the time. Over the years we had tried
the Roman Catholic Church which was not
comfortable for me and also the Lutheran
Church which was not comfortable for
Rebecca. Our children did not seem to fit
in either church.
Our “Ecumenical” experiences up to that
point was churches where they put teflon
on the fence so nobody got any splinters,
from those fences that continued to
separate us. Now there was a possibility
that in this place, they might tear down
those fences altogether. We might actually
be creating a place where both traditions
would be valued and celebrated equally. We
had to be part of the possibility of
making that dream come true. On May, 18,
1986 Rebecca and I became members of the
First Congregational Church.
Wayne Ortelli Continues:
At that time, although the vision had not
been officially adopted by the First
Congregational Church, it really looked
like that would happen. At last, a real
home for a Catholic and Protestant to
celebrate, worship and be accepted as
equals. A place to raise our children in
understanding, peace and love. A place
where we stressed our common beliefs as
well as accepting and yes even celebrating
our differences. A place where a Catholics
or a Protestant could join without giving
up who they are and what they believe. It
was a dream coming true.
Shortly therafter, in October 1986, our
inclusive vision was formally adopted by
the First Congregational Church of
Passaic. The dream had been born but now
it was time to make it work. That would
take much hard work..
In addition to the uniting of the Catholic
and Protestant traditions, there was an
incredibly active Children’s & Youth
ministry at the First Congregational
Church. Our children Jennifer, Amy &
Christian grew up in this special church
with this special church family. These
were very busy and very rewarding years.
There are so many great stories and fond
memories.
Many things have happened since 1986. The
process selecting a new name and our name
change to The Inclusive Community,
searching for and calling new pastors when
Rev Anne Hess and Rev John Caufield left,
most especially, calling Rev. Anthony as
our Catholic Pastor. There was the
discharge of new Protestant Pastor who
replaced Rev. Anne and who was the wrong
choice and nearly destroyed our vision. We
paid a heavy price for that mistake. Then
the sale of our building in Passaic, the
period of living room worship that
followed and the move to St Paul’s Nutley.
The difficulty adjusting to the change
from being a landlord in Passaic to a
tenant in Nutley. Moving from the St.
Paul’s sanctuary to our own Chapel. The
passing of our Good Shepard and beloved
friend Harry Dilk in Jan 2005. Our Church
family continues to miss him terribly.
Even though the birth and adolescence of
The Inclusive Community was not without
it’s labor and growing pains, there was
even more joy in the realization of our
dream. A place where a Catholic and
Protestant couples and their children can
belong as equals. A place where “ALL ARE
ALREADY ONE”
I suppose you could say The Inclusive
Community, entering its 21st. year is
about to become an adult. As we look to
the future we face many problems. Not the
least of which are serious financial
problems, declining reserves and “people
power’ as well as a lack of time & energy.
We face the future as an act of faith.
After all the history of The Inclusive
Community (a compelling story) has been
one act of faith after another. No reason
to change now!
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The
Inclusive Community-UCC
