Two experiments in connecting spirituality and social ministry in the life of the South Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Middletown, Connecticut

This reflective ministry project recognizes and affirms the connection between spirituality and social ministry. Two worship experiences were designed as settings in which the connection could be nurtured. One worship experience was a structured Thanksgiving Community Worship Service for the city of Middletown. The other worship experience was a one day Lenten Retreat designed for members of the South Church congregation.; The project's context is expressed in a narrative account of a middle-sized congregation which faced a decision in relation to its tall steeple. The steeple proved to be a symbol which helped the congregation and its pastor realize that significant changes were taking place in the Middletown community and in the church. Integrated with the narrative are insights gained from Biblical studies and theological reflection as well as findings from the field of Congregational studies.; The project concludes with the recognition that South Church and other mainstream Protestant congregations are being affected in significant ways by the culture's changing demographics, economic forces, and religious attitudes. The author asserts that recognizing and affirming the fundamental connection between spirituality and social ministry is a faithful response congregations can make in light of such changes. Such a response takes seriously the impact of social and cultural change and at the same time grounds the ministry of the church in a basic, foundational, Biblical truth, the Great Commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind... You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The author's belief is that a community of faith which seeks to recognize and affirm the connection between spirituality--loving God, and social ministry--loving neighbor, can be confident that its journey through these changing times is a faithful one.