During the first week of August, I had the privilege to serve as pastor of the week at Presbyterian House at Chautauqua, NY. My duties at Chautauqua were to preach on Sunday, greet people on the porch after worship every morning, and lead a vesper service on Thursday. Other than that, I was free to go to lectures, take a class, sit on the porch, kayak, or take a nap. Prior to leaving for Chautauqua, Pastor John and many of our members who have been to Chautauqua repeatedly exclaimed, “I am so excited for you. You will love Chautauqua!” They grinned mischievously with a glint in their eyes as if they knew something but couldn’t tell me. I wondered, “What is this place?” I am fairly certain Brent thought he would be doing bible study every waking hour.
Getting our Bearings
As we arrived at Chautauqua, we drove down narrow streets canopied by large trees, Victorian style homes tucked tightly side by side, and vibrant florals filling all remaining space. We wondered again, “What is this place?” At the Presbyterian House, we were greeted with incredible hospitality as we began to get our bearings.
Looking at the calendar of events for the week was overwhelming. After two days, we found our routine of chapel in the amphitheater, coffee on the Presbyterian House porch, back to the amphitheater for a lecture, then lunch, maybe a nap, and then a 2pm lecture at the Hall of Philosophy. There was much more we could have done. Brent and I decided to take a history kayak tour, play shuffleboard, learn to play lawn bowling, and sip a couple of beers at the lake’s edge.
A Highlight: Bishop Michael Curry
The highlight for me was chapel every morning with Bishop Michael Curry. He is an incredible storyteller with a passion to encourage us to “love God, love your neighbor, love yourself. Love is the way. Love is the only way.” All the denominational house chaplains had an opportunity to eat lunch with Bishop Curry on the porch. He is genuine, down to earth, and kind.
What is Chautauqua?
It is a unique experience of being part of a community that values civil dialogue in support of science, religion, the arts, and recreation. It is a community which takes seriously hospitality and kindness towards others. It is genuine interfaith community that welcomes all Christian denominations, as well as Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, and agnostics. It is an intergenerational community with children on bikes, more mature folks on scooters and everyone else in between. It is a community that takes time to sit on porches, play shuffleboard and lawn bowling, swim, and sail. Chautauqua is a glimpse of a beloved community.
I understand now Pastor John’s post-Chautauqua glow of peace. The experience of Chautauqua fills one with hope for what is possible in our human family. It isn’t perfect. As Bishop Curry reminded us often, “We’re family. We may be dysfunctional, but we are family.” Chautauqua is a commitment to healing and strengthening the human family through worship, dialogue, and radical hospitality. Words cannot capture the “Chautauqua experience.” You will just have to go. I will grin with a mysterious look in my eyes and say, “You will love it.”
