Reimagined worship serves people where they are

MILWAUKEE — Church has been showing up in all sorts of ways across the United States, and 888 of them are part of the 1001 New Worshiping Communities of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). 

“When we hit our goal, there will be a huge celebration,” the Rev. Michael Gehrling told a crowd during a luncheon on Tuesday.

Staff of the 1001 NWC program and directors of four of those nontraditional but passionate places of worship shared updates and stories of hope. 

Before graduating from McCormick Theological Seminary, the Rev. Mark Fraley spent decades as a community organizer. He knew how to build relationships with people on the ground. And he took those skills to Milwaukee, a city known as one of the most segregated in the U.S. 

“We wanted to boldly reimagine what church could be,” he said.  

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When Kairos Collective was first set up, Fraley worked a paying job to keep it going. When 1001 NWC partnered with the community, he was able to focus on the ministry full time. 

If it sounds like 1001 NWC just helps communities plant churches, that would only be half the story. The ministry provides grants, accompanies potential ministry leaders during discernment and even offers coaches throughout the process. 

Focusing on contemplation, relationships and just action, Fraley’s ministry started slowly. Similar groups worked in the same areas. But rather than compete, Fraley said he and others collaborated, and bit by bit, they began to see success. 

They provided meals for people to share food and fellowship.  

At one of their first dinners open to the community, they hoped 40 people might show. Instead, they hosted 80. They thought everyone would be gone after 90 minutes. They stayed for three hours.  

“We saw people connecting. We saw joy,” he recalled. 

The Spirit was moving in ways organizers did not expect, and that encouraged this community of believers to continue. A bus tour took neighbors through the city to see what others were doing to re-energize communities. An author visited to share and encourage. 

“What we’ve seen in all of this is people in relationship again,” Fraley said.  

“This is the slow work of ministry. We’re going to follow Jesus and show up.” 

The Rev. Raafat Girgis already had worked more than three decades in ministry and intercultural work in Egypt and the U.S. when he founded All People Intercultural Community (APIC) in Denver.  

In sharing about APIC, Girgis quoted Isaiah 66:18: “For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they shall come and shall see my glory.” 

This ministry, which is supported by 1001 NWC, is ecumenical, interfaith and draws folks from all the nations, Girgis said.  

“We are not in competition,” he added. “We are engaging God’s people. We are in partnership with so many churches.” 

Girgis invited those gathered to visit APIC.  

“Come be proud of what we are doing in Denver.” 

The luncheon group also heard from the Rev. Erin Angeli, who shared with joy the ways Commonwealth of Oakland in Pittsburgh invites queer folk to find faith in ways that heal. 

“We help people walk backwards toward God,” she said. 

Casa Brasil in the Greater Atlanta area and a companion ministry Accents serve immigrants. The Rev. Rafael Viana has planted churches in his home country of Brazil and in the U.S. With the support of 1001 NWC, this work has helped the ministries remain nimble, especially since aggressive immigration policies were put in place during the second administration of President Donald Trump. 

The crowd also watched a video on Voices of Jubilee, a ministry in Richmond, Virginia. The Presbytery of the James has partnered with 1001 NWC to support the volunteer program that supports incarcerated young people and their families. 

The Rev. Lauren Ramseur said volunteers who themselves have been incarcerated meet with the young people to hear their stories and to tell stories of hope.  

“I don’t know what it’s like to grow up in the inner city, in poverty, in gun violence, but they do,” Ramseur said of these volunteers. 

“And they speak a truth in love that I can’t,” Ramseur said. “And mostly they embody the Resurrection in hope in a way that only they can do.” 

Gehrling said 1001 NWC will be able to partner with more ministries because additional grants will be available next year. Pathway to Flourishing grants will provide start-up funds, and Covenant Path grants are geared toward existing immigrant churches that are new to PC(USA). 

He said more details will be forthcoming on both opportunities.