New pastor of Binghamton's First Congregational Church envisions outreach and diversity
The Rev. Jon Haack is the new pastor of the First Congregational Church at the corner of Main and Front streets in Binghamton.
The church with the bell out front dates back to 1836, when Binghamton was a village. Haack jokes of a “spirit-filled” neighborhood, noting the nearby tavern and hotel back then.
Though he has been serving for several months, Haack will be officially installed on Sunday, Sept. 18. He becomes the first permanent pastor there in several years.
Haack’s faith was in part inspired by a scripture verse, Ephesians 2:8. He remembers reading the words on a wall hanging at his grandparents' home: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that is not your own doing, but it is the gift of God."
“It's now on my wall. They passed away, and I inherited it. I have it proudly displayed in the house,” Haack said. “It was for them something that kind of molded and shaped their thinking about God.”
While growing up in Davenport, Iowa, going to church was required by his parents. Barring serious illness, Haack attended Zion Lutheran Church there every week with his mother, father and brothers.
“Dad would come to the bottom of the stairs and yell to us on Sunday morning, ‘the bus is leaving in five minutes.’ We were expected to be in the car ready to go. That has stuck with me," Haack said. "Even if I weren't pastor, I would still be in church."
It’s at Zion Lutheran that Haack saw intricate woodwork of grapes and loaves of bread at the ends of pews. And there was a dark walnut carving of Jesus standing with outstretched arms in front of the church.
“You just can't look at artwork like that — it's representative of the ethnicity of Jesus — and not have some passion around racial justice issues,” Haack said.
“I'm interested in reaching people of color,” he said of his post at First Congregational. “We have some people of color, but my hope is that there will be more diversity as we reach out and grow."
Haack spoke of ideas he has for the church.
“I've got an upcoming appointment with the Binghamton University Interfaith Council to revive the activities with them,” he said. “I'm also interested in our living out our being open — an affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ. We welcome LGBTQ in every aspect of the church."
Haack also stressed an “intentional outreach to the community.” So far, they’ve had an ice cream social with a school backpack giveaway for children. There’s also been a peace fair for young people. It was held around the remembrance of Hiroshima Day, complete with the ringing of the bell in front of the church.
“Our mission statement is to feed the hungry — body, mind and spirit. They take that pretty literally,” Haack said.
There’s a sign near the pews in the front of the church reminding people of collections to a monthly charity.
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Though he’s been working as pastor for several months, Haack is looking forward to the official installation a few days away. It will include Marsha Williams, conference minister for the United Church of Christ in New York state. Members of the congregation will also take part.
It comes just a week prior to the anniversary date of First Congregational Church’s founding.
“I think we had a vision made fresh and new again,” Haack said of the future.
He’s looking past COVID, which has postponed some efforts that had been held in the past.
“Some of them we may not revive at all, but might give birth to new dreams,” he said.
The Rev. Jon Haack
Pastor, First Congregational Church, Binghamton
Hometown: Davenport, Iowa.
Residence: Endicott.
Education: A master's of divinity granted jointly by Wartburg Theological Seminary and Christ Seminary — Semimex.
Hobbies: Golf, yard work, cooking.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton's First Congregational Church has permanent pastor
