Hello Hot Metal!

I hope you will join us on Sunday for worship at 10:30am and then our All Church Meeting! In the interest of making sure everyone has a chance to read all the things, see my annual report below. We've also updated the proposed budget, so feel free to peruse that and discern whether it reflects the values and directions you've come to expect from Hot Metal. 

Dear Hot Metal Community,

I don’t know about you, but 2022 felt like the hardest year of the pandemic, and thus of our time together. While we were technically worshiping in person the entire year, it has really only been in the last month or two that I’ve felt like we’ve really had a critical mass of community showing up on Sunday mornings and beyond. I will be honest and say I had many moments of discouragement, where I couldn’t see the path forward. 

And then, I would have someone email or text me asking for prayers of encouragement. Or a new queer couple would show up on a Sunday morning and say “that was the most authentic invitation to communion I’ve heard. Thank You.” Or a kid would be on our Tuesday night Zoom small group, and bring up questions and thoughts of faith that were just as thoughtful as the adults! Time and time again, God’s Spirit would move in my discouragement, and give me a small moment of hope. As I reflect on this past year, I am trying hard to hold on to these small moments as signs that something bigger is going to happen in 2023. 

Here are my favorite things that happened in 2022:

1. We joined with Bethel AME in its fight for reparations as allies in antiracism - We were the first community to host a “Table Talk” with Rev. Snyder at Bethel, which has kicked off a city-wide discussion about reparations and the need for racial reconciliation on the particular and broad scale. What a witness to the power of relationships!

2. We had a “Good Enough” Lent - inspired by the work of Kate Bowler, I loved how we as a community were centered on the devotional she wrote throughout the season. I also loved crafting a mid-week prayer service with Autumn that engaged the intertwining of mental health and spirituality. 

3. We had an intergenerational VBS learning to be “Holy Troublemakers”- It was such a joy to gather across ages and hear from one another and local partners about the intersection of seeking justice and our faith. 

4. We hosted Spencer LaJoye in Concert, and lifted up our own musicians through special gatherings and new worship leaders - I don’t think I’m exaggerating all *that* much when I say “Plowshare Prayer” by Spencer LaJoye is a revelation and changed my life. I’m so thankful that we’ve been able to explore new worship music, and then have Spencer themself here with us creating sacred and bold space. It’s a memory from 2022 that I’ll forever hold in my heart. I’m also so grateful for all the musicians who have shared their hearts with us, including ones that have started leading worship just this year!

5. We had a super fun and successful fall fundraiser with Bag, Drag, and Swag - Coming back to in-person fundraising was a little bumpy, and we know people are still wary of big events, but Bag, Drag, and Swag was a delight to host, and a time of feeling the exuberance of God’s love and affirmation! And we raised a fair amount of funds for our ministries! 
   

Here’s what I’m hoping for in 2023:

1. I hope for a more generous sharing of resources - Yes, the 50/5 campaign is an intentional ask for us as a community to give more money. And money is something we need for our ministries. But beyond that, I want us to cultivate a spirit of generosity that is not limited to money, but encourages us to give of a variety of resources - not only to our ministry with the HMBFC stamp on it, but to a variety of ways in which God’s kin-dom is happening in the world. 

2. I hope for more vulnerable and transparent communication - We cannot build a deep and loving community without people who show up and share what they feel. And we cannot have conversations and complaints happening in the shadows. I commit to working with Council to find more ways for us to communicate all that is happening here at Hot Metal, and I invite you to be direct in your communication of your wants and needs. If you see something you think we should be a part of, tell us! If you hate something I’m doing, tell me! Let’s get coffee and sort it out. 

3. I hope for deeper relationships - Hot Metal has always been a place where one could feel like they instantly belonged, but found it harder to form deep relationships. My prayer is that we find ways as pandemic restrictions continue to ease to find ways simply to be with one another, and build the foundation of deep relationships. If you are not already participating in our Tuesday night group or Wednesday Zoom Prayer, I encourage you to start there. Or if you have another idea for building relationships, let us know and we’d love to support you in starting something!

4. I hope for more partnerships - I do not believe that any one faith community can do *all the things.* I’m so thankful for the partnerships we’ve cultivated with the Commonwealth, Bethel AME, LGBTQ+ Affirming Ministries of Pittsburgh, and the National Black Presbyterian Caucus (to name just a few!). I hope the next year helps us engage others in the city and beyond as we continue to proclaim God’s justice beyond just our four walls. 

5. I hope for more energy - I am tired, and I know you are too. But I hope the next year brings energy for our shared ministry, and bold ideas and dreams that we can all grab onto that enliven us and our love for sharing the love of Jesus. I (selfishly) hope that translates into broader participation and support for our various teams and programs. I cannot do it all, the staff cannot do it all, and I hope you will join us. 

I have many more hopes and dreams for this community in this coming year and beyond. And I’m sure God has hopes and dreams I can’t even imagine, but are going to be even more wonderful than what I think. I hope you are along for the ride, and will help give voice and embodiment to what those dreams become! Christ has no body but yours, and we have no community but the one you are a part of! 

May God bless us, and keep us, 

Pastor Erin