Hello everyone!
I hope you are staying safe and well. Here is the weekly Reflection from our church E-news., I am so blessed to have this fantastic church family!
Jane’s Seventh Reflection
Recently I was scouring the Internet and found an unusual token. It was named the “kindness” token and shaped like a coin. On the front were various colored symbols engraved in the metal including flowers, hearts, angels, or butterflies. On the back was the following verse.
“I give you this token for your kindness to me. Now give it away and you will see how one act of kindness can change the world.”
I immediately thought of my family here in Congregational United Church of Christ. If I won the lottery, I would love to give this token to every one of our members! I grew up in a church where I was never comfortable. My father often remarked on how cold and unfriendly it was, and I felt the same way. Consequently, I stayed away from attending any church for many years except for volunteering in a deaf church until it disbanded. After I was diagnosed with cancer, I decided to find a faith group but was gun-shy. I mentioned to my sister that it would have to be a church that accepted Sita. I was told during my training with a service dog that they are allowed anywhere publicly humans are except churches and private country clubs. I asked why churches and was reminded about the separation of church and state.
God brought me to this church a couple of years later through a circuitous route. One of the members – her husband was the minister then – was leaving because he was going to another congregation. She told me,” These are kind people, good people, wonderful people and you will love them!’
Truer words were never spoken. We are a small but mighty church and missions are the main purpose we have. But even more important is the people who offer the missions. We have an amazing pastor who reminds us every week that what we do outside of the church and with each other is what matters. He is always there to serve others, and his latest mission is serving as a volunteer remotely as a chaplain/palliative care clinician for the hospitals in New York City, who needs these services desperately. His husband is always quietly helping us behind the scenes, and doing whatever is needed from financial advice to moving furniture!
Before the pandemic, a group from the church was serving food outside on a freezing December day to food insufficient people. One of our members took off his coat and gave it to one of the freezing people who did not have one. When the receiver protested, the member said he had another one in his car. He would never have told us, but the pastor saw the whole thing and let us know.
I watch as members undergo surgeries and the women in the church set up schedules to offer food. If the patient is not able to come to the door, a member will greet people and bring the food inside, allowing the patient to recuperate.
Anytime a need is mentioned, the congregation is there whether it is buying articles for a backpack program, toothbrushes or toilet articles for the homeless, or a giving tree for a family at Christmastime. In the winter we have a wall of warmth in the church with clothespins to hang scarves, mittens and gloves for people who are in need.
We have had two wonderful music directors who give their all and do a fantastic job! We have had two secretaries who go way above and beyond. They decorate the sanctuary to help coordinate church events and keep us going. None of our staff is paid enough for all they do, but it is a mission for them. The members of the church also clean the church, take care of the maintenance, and keep the grounds beautiful.
During the pandemic, one of our members, who is a music therapist, sings every evening on Facebook to help make life easier for all of us. Several members donate food for the hungry, and Girl Scout cookies to first responders and nurses; I have been the humble recipient of many gifts from this great family. When my computer died and I needed it to write, one of the members came and fixed it. When I needed a ceiling fan installed in my bedroom one hot summer, because I was roasting from the chemo, two of the men came and installed one for me. When I was going through a rough time with my chemo and out of remission, the church set up a card shower and sent me beautiful cards which are now in a scrapbook.
And the church has taken Sita under their wing. She loves to come to where she is not in her vest and can be spoiled and petted. She makes sure when walking down the aisle to the front of the sanctuary that every single person is greeted with a wet nose and friendly eyes. This fabulous church also donated tons of items ranging from bleach, dog food, blankets, and sheets to Circle Tail, where I got Sita from.
During this horrible pandemic we have all called each other, texted, sent e-mails, and cherished each other. I do not know where I would be without all of you.
I could write a book on everything you all do both inside and outside of the church walls. But I want to finish by saying Jesus gave us the golden rule. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Matthew 7:12 (NIV).
You wonderful people do not just preach this, you practice it. And I cherish every one of you!