Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Whether or not you enjoy seeing pictures of prom or scanned Polaroids from the family reunion, tbt is a thing. Standing for throwback Thursday, tbt fills my Facebook news thread each Thursday. I’m privy to slightly blurry snapshots of late-night college parties, of pre-selfies with out-of-date haircuts, and vaguely familiar friends as children unwrapping presents at Christmas or hugging on a grandparent who has long since passed. 

These moments in time offer an invitation to connect with the past. And I started thinking: We in The Episcopal Church love talking about the past. We remember fondly the good ole days of full pews and gigantic youth groups, when everybody went to church and Sunday School wasn’t in competition with soccer games or smartphones. (As aside: I’m convinced that we often recall the past with blinders on, or at least while wearing rose-colored glasses. There were challenges for the churches fifty years ago, just as new and different obstacles face us today).   

We also love pictures of our buildings, even those pencil sketches that drive me crazy.   

But we’re always hearing that we need to let go of the past, to stop dwelling on how things used to be, to embrace new ideas and new ways of being. And in many ways, that’s true. But perhaps nostalgia and memory has a place too as we are reimagining church. Maybe we can indulge in tbt on church Facebook pages, to share a virtual scrapbook that might bring a smile to the old-timers and insight to the new members. By setting aside a day to remember and honor our past, we leave six days open for embracing our present and preparing for the future.   

It’s worth a try. Just don’t post that picture of me from prom—with pink rosettes and hair out to there. Some things don’t need a second sharing.