Dear Friends in Christ,
It Takes a Village – or maybe a Church
I was able to attend for a second time the Festival Of Homiletics in Denver recently. It was my first trip to Colorado since I was a young girl. Then we visited my great aunt Lillian. I remember that we visited about Easter as we did an egg-roll (not the food) and saw snow. Well, Colorado seemed to remember me. For, even though it was May, again it snowed for my visit. As a South Florida girl with no clothes with long sleeves, it was a bit of a surprise and an adventure!
The actual purpose of the trip was, of course, the preaching conference. Between worship services designed to help us all receive not only the message but the style of preaching and the actual lectures on the subject, we were asked to review our own style and content. We had services of remembrance where individuals came forward to remember those lost in the past two years of the pandemic. We had services of lament where we lifted up to God the cries of our hearts. During one of these, I was reminded of the power of worshiping in community – not from a position of leadership, but of being in the pews – as I too wept for what was lost.
But the true gift to me was the time with my niece and her fiancé. When I asked if I could stay with her, I did not know how much time she’d have for her old aunt, but she made plenty. She picked me up each evening so that we would have more time together. All of my study of the transit system was set aside in the glow of time spent together.
There are things you just can’t do alone. To lament alone so seldom leads to the praise of God that I found on the other side as we sang and prayed together. Setting aside my own desire to show independence and fear of being “under foot” gave me such precious time with my family. And even in the places I could not be members of our own church family filled in for me. Ann Kreucher went each day to take care of my cats and my plants. Deacon Bob preached on Sunday and Father Chuck celebrated. While Sonley covered the Wednesday service. In all of this was proof that I am not alone.
St. Andrew’s offers that so freely. Just this week Ann orchestrated getting some errands run for a member who had fallen and can’t yet get around. Members gather together to fix meals for those with food insecurity. Others pick up those who can no longer drive and bring them to church.
If you are feeling alone, consider what you might need to give up in order to know the gift of community. If you can drive and are willing to go a bit out of your way, we can probably find someone who needs a ride. If you can run errands, we can probably find someone who needs your help. There is a lot we can do to make this family stronger and know the love that comes from not being alone!
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit so that we would never have to be alone. So grateful to be part of the Body of Christ, of this church family, and to never be alone!
All love my friends,
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