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From Our Minister

Rev. Rali Weaver

 

ÒIf you think it is ever warranted to stop on the path of further understanding, you are very far from the truth.  The life which we received was given to us not that we might just admire it, but that we should ever look for new truth hidden from us.Ó

                                                                                                      -John Milton (Author)

 

Last month I went to the Dedham Square Circle event ÒAre we Crazy About Sports or Are Sports Making Us CrazyÓ which was held at the Allin Congregational Church across the street.  It was an interesting debate about the purpose and effects of sports in our lives. Before the event began the Pastor from the Allin Congregation stood up and talked about being founded in 1638-- without any mention of our Parish.  This omission distracted me throughout the evening. What about us? I thought. We were here too. (Not to mention that we provided extra parking)

 

My pigheaded distraction got me thinking that the problem with a church with a history such as ours is that it is very difficult to move beyond it.  DonÕt get me wrong, I love the history and traditions of the First Church and Parish in Dedham.  The foundations of belief and the struggles of the past have deep meaning to me both as your minister and as a person of liberal faith.  The only problem as I see it is that when we stop exploring our history, and stop learning about our foundations they become stale and outmoded and die. 

 

After further exploration I have come to the conclusion that it doesnÕt really matter if the Allin Congregational Church claims the same founding date (even though they did move across the street).  Certainly the forefathers of both of our churches were part of the original founding of Dedham. I do believe however, that it is important that we know and claim our past and remain open to Òthat ever new truth that may be hidden from usÓ today. 

 

My thanks to the Bi Laws Review Committee who were witnessed this past month spending countless hours reviewing files in the Parish House and over at the Dedham Historical Society.  Your efforts have not gone unappreciated.

 

If you would be interested in exploring the history of the First Church and Parish in Dedham or sharing with me a bit of your own history, please donÕt hesitate to contact me.  raliweaver@dedhamuu.org  781-381-0107.