Last night, we brought the kids to a trunk-or-treat event at a local church. It was bustling with children and families, a mix of congregants and newcomers alike. The young volunteers greeting us at the entrance bore little resemblance to the elders in the pulpit and lining the back hall, ready to distribute candy to the boisterous youngsters. Each of these elders was notably older, their hair gray, and their skin delicate and thin. Yet, they greeted every child with radiant smiles, reminiscent of proud grandparents watching their grandchildren hit a home run in an important game.
A man shared with my husband that the Methodist church has stood since the 1950s. This year marked the fifteenth anniversary of their autumn event and concert, a tradition that brings joy to the longtime members on stage as they welcome new faces each year. Most visitors, like us, might primarily be there for the free candy and hot dogs, but the church members hoped some might also find a sense of community and perhaps even a connection to God.
Early in the evening, my son, curious to see where the candy distribution would take place, was swiftly guided back to the main area in time for the grand finale of the concert.
As I took in the surroundings, the dated architecture and the legacy built over decades, I pondered the future of this aging church amidst today's rapid technological advancements. Had anyone here studied the impact of artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and their countless offspring?
Who was ensuring that places like this were ready for the changes to come?
The thought pained me. My mother, having struggled to come to terms with her aging body and the care it required, lost her life years earlier. She too had been a part of a congregation like this one, where the pastor, dressed in a traditional three-piece suit, delivered over the top sermons. Old practices persisted, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes. And yet, the church continued on, assuming that tomorrow would be just another repeat of today, as it had been yesterday.
The evening concluded successfully. My son, dressed as a character from Paw Patrol, delighted with his stash of gummy bears, joyfully repeated the church’s name all the way home.
And I, caught up in the moment, found myself once again drawn to the idea of guiding another group of people, helping them navigate the uncertain waters of the future, ensuring they wouldn’t be left behind.