Chris Davis, First United Member

September 19, 2017

Last year, in the middle of my many blood tests, MRIs, spinal taps and nuclear tests, I received a phone call from my Deacon, Joanne Despotes, stating that she wanted to visit me in my home. I was surprised! I’d never had a visit from a Deacon before. 

As a little girl growing up in the ‘40s, I remember men from the Lutheran church visiting our father in our home. They came each year to see how much money my father planned to give the church that season.

So I didn’t know what to expect when I received this call from Joanne. Joanne came and presented me with a prayer shawl, a gift from the Prayer Shawl Ministry. I was extremely moved. Then she told me that the prayer shawl was made by Nina Roher, who sings in our choir. That set off a flood of memories for me.

Fifty years ago, in my other life, Stan and I were members of the First Church of the Brethren in the west side of Chicago. Stan had attended the nearby Bethany Seminary—along with Nina’s father. Both of our children were born in Bethany Hospital and delivered by the Seminary Stork, Dr. Tucker.

It was the time of Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago, the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam protests. Nina’s mother, Goldie, was the Secretary of the Church and I was the editor and only writer of ENCOUNTER, our church monthly newsletter—similar to our Messenger Bell. Goldie and I organized our monthly church newsletters for several years.

Now, fifty years later, I receive a prayer shawl made by Goldie’s daughter, Nina. What can I say? It was a “Thanks Be To God” experience!

I wear my prayer shawl when I’m cold, when I’m watching television, and when I’m reading a book or writing my PAL notes. When I wear my shawl, I feel as if everyone in this church is putting their arms around me and hugging me! Wearing the shawl calms me down when I watch the news—especially the national news on television. Wearing the shawl helps me focus, pray and write my PAL notes in the name of First United Church. Wearing the shawl brings back many memories! Wearing the prayer shawl makes me feel warm and loved!

Thanks be to God for the silent, unnoticed ministries in our church who care for people in their quiet ways. A caring deacon presented me with a prayer shawl made with loving hands, which enabled me to continue writing PAL notes to show First United’s love for others.

THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THE DEACONS! THANKS BE TO GOD FOR THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY! THANKS BE TO GOD FOR PAL NOTE WRITERS! THANKS BE TO GOD FOR ALL THE PEOPLE IN OUR CHURCH WHO CAN SHOW GOD’S LOVE IN THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL, UNIQUE WAY! 

This evotional was first shared as the Testimony of Care during the September 17, 2017 worship service.