June 17, 2011
Last weekend the Black Caucus of Evergreen went on a road trip! About a dozen folk squeezed into a van at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Baptist Church’s parking lot and made their way to Calvary Baptist Church in Spokane. They were greeted by several members of Calvary Church who treated us (yes, I joined them, only I flew because I had an unexpected appointment earlier in the day J) to a scrumptious barbeque dinner! On Saturday morning (after more food), we shared…a history of Evergreen, what churches were doing in outreach to the community. We “toured” the house where every Saturday Calvary Church feeds lunch to 75-100 honored guests. The Seattle folks got back into the van after lunch (more wonderful food, enough to take some home with us) and made our way back to MLK parking lot and home. An Evergreen “moment”! Part of the Evergreen story!
The Black caucus plans more such adventures!
On Saturday morning when sharing was happening concerning Evergreen, I was reminded of one of the “unintended” consequences of our Evergreen structure. We have no “nominating committee.” In many/most organizations like Evergreen the real power resides with the nominating committee, it is who the nominating committee knows which makes a difference about who gets the leadership nod in many groups. Our caucus system has dispersed the work of the nominating committee, so that each caucus works out how members of the Executive Committee will be selected. With each caucus naming two people to the Executive Committee and naming officers when it is a caucus’s turn to name an officer, it means the work of nominating leaders is the work of all the caucuses rather than one small “representative” group. It is shared power at its best.
Further reflection on this brings me to the Executive Committee. Although we have had some folks with a great number of years on the Executive Committee we have always had extraordinary service from all who have served. And the relationships built and maintained by that service is astounding.
We have made it a practice at Executive Committee meetings to always ask a question at the end, either “what have you learned in today’s meeting” or “how do you see God at work?” Many times in response has been the group working together and the meaning the meetings have for the participants. Since at least one of our participants is almost always on the phone, I think this makes another “Evergreen” moment/story. There is a commitment and “sum greater than its parts” about our work. The Spirit is there and we are blessed. Thank you to the current Executive Committee and to all who have served over our eight years!
Marcia