My first church family was the
First Baptist Church in Bellevue, Nebraska.
I think the Pastor was Rev. Holly, if my memory serves me
correctly. I went to Sunday School there
most Sundays. Mom and I would then walk
to Hested’s for shopping and lunch then on to Bakers Supermarket for
groceries. I remember learning a lot of
songs and hearing stories, but didn’t understand what it all meant.
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| First Unitarian Church of Omaha |
As a young adult in my early
twenties I found the Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha. Mathew Howard was the Pastor. The worship experience at MCC Churches often reflect
the makeup and “life” of the current congregation. At that time, MCC Omaha was what I would describe
as a “Catholic Light” worship experience AND it was comfortable, safe, and
welcoming (to me.)
Over the years the pulpit at MCC
was led by several more pastors; Sharon, Barb, Earl, Wayne, and Tom. During those years I came and went several
times, before my last few years.
After founding Inclusive Life the
current pastor asked me to make a choice between serving the church in my current
leadership role and Inclusive Life. It
was a very frustrating time in my life.
I was torn between what I was called to do (serving others regardless of
their beliefs) and the family that helped me to get to such clarity, strength
and purpose. I held a bit of a grudge
for some time. What made it difficult is
that sometime I would be greeted and welcomed warmly and other times I would be
ignored.
I am credentialed, licensed and locally
ordained with Inclusive Life, my role as a Chaplain allows me many
opportunities to reach out to religious, nonreligious, and spiritual individuals,
couples and families who are not a part of church or organized religion.
I have recently found a new church
home, for me. This is a home that allows
me to continue my work with Inclusive Life, and actually supports it! The First Unitarian Church of Omaha is a home
that offers refuge to all. “Because here
we join with open hearts and minds to worship together, seeking what is sacred
among us.”
I believe that it is important for
each person to find a “community of support” to help get through life. Some will find that in a church, while in a
running group, in school, or… It is ok
that it may not be in a “church.”
Sometimes there simply will not be a church that offers support for your
life journey.
I am blessed, pleased and thankful
that I have found that community of support at the First Unitarian Church in
Omaha. I have just scratched the surface
on what this church will bring to my life and what I will contribute to the
life of this church. Thank you for
having me.
About
the writer…
Royal
D. Bush was born and raised in the Omaha metro area raised in a single parent
family, with his Mother Mildred. His
first many years of life were spent in Bellevue, where he and his mother
attended church at the First Baptist Church of Bellevue. Eventually Omaha became home, where as a
young adult, Royal began attending various worship services with friends and
family before finally calling MCC Omaha his home, where he went on to serve as
Minister of Hospitality.
In
2009, Royal founded Inclusive Life; a Nebraska, nonprofit, multifaith based
organization that offers care and services to all without exception; religious,
nonreligious and spiritual. He continues
to share his belief and message that “You are beautiful, you are loved and you
are worthy, just the way you are. You
are not alone.”
His
current project is creating a 4 hour “You Retreat” that will be offered monthly
in Omaha. It will focus on allowing
people to experience themselves in ways perhaps not experienced before or
often.
INCLUSIVE LIFE PASTORAL SERVICES
Religious, nonreligious, spiritual, we serve all
without exception.
3622 Leavenworth Street Omaha, NE 68105
OFFICE (402) 575-7006 TEXT (402) 909-1668
info@inclusivelife.org
