The Rev. Laura Natta reflects on her childhood church in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC, saying, “When I was growing up, the neighborhood church was a hub for community activity, and no one would think twice about inviting someone to church.” After graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2023, Laura found herself in a parish where people were committed to the congregation but spiritually hungry for more. The impacts of COVID-19 and the resulting isolation had made cultivating Christian identity, deepening faith, and spreading the Good News even more challenging.
In response, Laura developed a congregational vitality program centered on social justice. The program aimed to help the congregation discern their gifts by exploring the Hawaiian concept of “kuleana,” which refers to the responsibility or unique gifts that communities bring to the world. Through a series of workshops on kuleana, her congregation began forming teams focused on social justice causes, liturgy, and community engagement.
While the ideas resonated with many, the congregation initially struggled with placing formal leadership structures on each team. To address this, Laura partnered with the vestry to revitalize the ministry teams, using the Parable of the Talents as a framework for reflection. New team leaders emerged and began challenging themselves to engage with various aspects of parish life beyond the four walls of the church.
This revitalization helped both the vestry and ministry leaders discover their “sweet spots” within the broader community. One team organized an art exhibit for local schoolchildren. Another took responsibility for cleaning and maintaining a historically African American cemetery. Other teams collected food from farmers markets for donation to local food banks, while still others focused on ensuring the well-being of schoolchildren through nutrition and after-school activities. Another group partnered with a local mobile library.
All of these outreach efforts emerged from deep discernment that Laura facilitated within the congregation. While the early phases of the program revealed the need for strong leadership, it became clear that, with thoughtful planning and the right guidance, parishes could find new and joyful ways to connect with their neighbors. As Laura concludes, “There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but with good processes and careful planning, anyone can design meaningful ministry that brings the Good News to new communities in fresh ways.”
