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Greetings readers!
I made a purposeful choice to go and listen to one of our new pastors and attended New Hanover Presbyterian Church, located just north of Richmond. I did not show up unannounced, as I never really liked seeing my executive showing up unannounced!
New Hanover’s worship begins at 9:30, with Sunday school following, so I was there at 9:00. And there were many folks already there prepping the building. Even though the “official greeter” was not at the door, I was greeted warmly and also had time to have some good chats with several of the members.
Their pastor popped out of his office and came over as soon as he saw me and offered a warm greeting as well. This half hour before worship has the choir rehearsing, greeters getting bulletins ready, folks prepping the coffee spot, and from my vantage point, being sure to greet everyone who came into the building.
New Hanover’s service is a good blend of various worship styles but captures our Reformed attitude quite well. We had music, prayers, confession, assurance, the Word, a time for the children, and a good sending back into the world. Of course, the sermon was enlightening, and I left the church that morning truly knowing they would be hearing God at work through their pastor AND through them.
I want to highlight one portion of the service.
There was a fund raising event the evening before, raising money for a ministry group that worked worldwide bringing meals to people in places of destruction-earthquakes, floods, fires, and such. It seems they are well on their way to their fundraising goal, and it was good for me to learn of this group.
But that is not the portion I want to lift up.
In the time for announcements, a member spoke about a possible way to be in ministry at New Hanover. This new possible ministry opportunity was local, simple, personal, and one of those instances that a needed ministry could go unseen. The ministry event? Offer to provide transportation for a single mom and two kids to and from school. The cost of transportation ate up almost twenty-five percent of the take-home pay, something most of us probably have never dealt with.
Income disparity is an issue that gets lots of airtime but never seems to go away. Yet, today, this was about a real family in real need and real close by. My prayers are for the family, and my thanks are for the volunteers who are able to help a neighbor.
This is one of our congregations making God visible and known inside and outside of their building, and they are more than willing to invite people in and become an active presence in their community.
Thank you all!
Blessings
Kerry
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