By Laura Lane
Merrick Presbyterians didn't always enjoy such a close relationship with their pastor. When Philipp was first hired, he had to work hard to gain the trust of his parishioners. The self-described "friendly little church around the corner" wasn't feeling very friendly, with many parishioners refusing to be a part of the church and others feeling suspicious of anyone bearing the title ³pastor.²
"When I came here, it was after a pastor left who was in conflict with the congregation," Philipp recalled. "I spent a lot of time visiting people and patching up the wounds. I knew I couldn't take the responsibility for their feelings, but had to trust the Holy Spirit. Eventually, an entirely different attitude, a positive one, took over."
It took Philipp around six months to win part of the congregation back with humor and a smile. Always considered a liberal, Philipp said he encouraged tolerance at the church. "This church was originally the only Presbyterian church that had a mission statement that anyone, regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation, could attend," said Philipp. "We have some people that have joined our church because they appreciate that statement, and they aren't even gay."
Committed to social issues, Philipp has led his congregation to help others. At times its members have even taken what they considered to be chances owing to their belief in the pastor. "Alcoholics Anonymous has been holding their meetings in our building for over 50 years," said Philipp. "When I spoke to the congregation about letting Narcotics Anonymous do the same, they said, Tom, you're making the suggestion, so we trust you. Narcotics Anonymous has been holding meetings here for 25 years now, and I've been to some of their seminars where members have spoken about what being here meant to them."
A number of changes at Community Presbyterian Church were festive. Philipp got the congregation to love parties as much as he does. Finding any reason to celebrate, he soon had parishioners wearing red on Pentecost Sunday, as well as Sunday school children penning a nativity play in their own words. "Two years ago, the wise men were cowboys," Philipp chuckled. "The message still came across. The kids' play had a lightness of spirit added into it."
It saddens Philipp that although he has worked hard to ensure that the Community Presbyterian Church is inviting, membership has dwindled. "People's priorities have changed," he said. "Younger people don't have that same commitment as the older people had, and time is a big factor. Many people join now with the thought they want the church there when they need it."
Philipp believes that all churches are suffering the same problems. And he noted that fewer Protestants now live on Long Island. "The church used to be people's social center," he said. "They'd join the church bowling league and the drama groups. People lived a great deal of their lives in the church. Now people have gone to other activities."
When Philipp was a part-time pastor at Community Presbyterian, he also worked part-time as Protestant chaplain at C.W. Post, and as the executive minister of Long Island United Campus Ministries, for which he helped to create and run campus ministries at many Long Island colleges and universities.
"Dealing with international students taught me that there's so much to learn from other religions," he said. "I brought what I learned here. For example, in confirmation class, I said that I didn't want a memorized answer. I asked them to speak out of their own experience."
Philipp said he would always have a special place in his heart for the people of Merrick. He added that what he would miss most was being with his parishioners. When Philipp spoke of the many years that he helped people by going into their homes to offer his assistance, he wept. "People have welcomed me into their family life," he said. "During hard times, in sickness and death, the people wanted me there with them. That's something I'll treasure and don't take lightly, that people would expose themselves like that."
Comments about this story? LLane@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
