CHURCH: Full Circle 'Round

Another great time tonight at the vespers service at church.... Bob True, a deacon at Christ the King Catholic church, spoke to us. He had read a book by Thomas Cahill which talked about the community of Sant'Egidio. It is a group based out of Rome which has been in existence since 1968 and whose main goal is "evangelization and solidarity with the poor and the weak."

The concept of the group moved him at the time, but he did not act initially. Even throughout the busyness of life, his mind would come back to the Sant'Egidio community. He finally researched it on the internet and located a chapter in New York-- one of five in the entire U.S. He began a dialogue with the woman for over a year, but still nothing materialized-- until, one day a new member at his church approached him about getting involved with ministry opportunities. That's when he first acted upon starting a chapter of Sant'Egidio, and he asked the woman if she had ever heard of it before. She had indeed-- for she had actually been there and visited with them!

Now, the Nashville Community of Sant'Egidio meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month for prayer and fellowship. It is a time where many from all types of different faiths and backgrounds come together to act upon being the hands and feet of Jesus to our city.

His talk was motivating. It has been on my heart for a long time to truly become the "Proverbs 31 Woman" who "extends her hand to the poor, and stretches out her hands to the needy." I want Luke and Caroline to grow up seeing Scott and me ministering to the poor and needy. We have been so blessed, yes-- but, mainly, Jesus called us to reach out to them.

So-- once again Otter Creek has caused me to think and to hopefully act. I LOVE this church-- this community of believers!

Today as I walked out of the Y, I overheard two men who were lingering on the front porch. The older man was patiently listening as the younger man passionately spouted that he did not need the "church"-- what he needed was a relationship with Jesus. He continued to point out that all the great church fathers-- Saint Augustine, Martin Luther, et al. had found genuine faith apart from an organized church setting.... As I carried Caroline and guided Luke toward the car, I just kept thinking, "I love church."

I think my parents get the credit (or the blame!) for fostering this love. Growing up we NEVER missed a Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night, or Gospel Meeting! We were at church every time the door was open! There was not an excuse or reason justifiable apart from extreme illness. Being so bound to the people at 7th and College Church of Christ in Mayfield, KY, shaped me and created a love for the "family" we find in our church. People like Sona Knight who could just have easily yanked me up and spanked me as my own mother-- and she probably did a time or to!

Yes-- I LOVE church! I love walking into the foyer each Sunday and saying hello to the door greeters. I love the name tags we fill out and slap on so that no one is a stranger. I love the glorious sounds of people laughing, sharing, and catching up on each other's lives. I love that Luke asks to go to church and can't wait to go each week-- and that he is able to locate "his" church now and to distinguish it from the 5 other churches we pass by on our way. I love church fellowship meals and the long tables of casseroles and desserts! I love the "meet & greet" each week so that I have the chance to speak to those around me that I otherwise might not get to know. I love the older couples at church who represent stability, loyalty, and faithfulness. I love our new "sanctuary" and the purple pews. I love how "Miss" Donna and the other workers are always there to welcome Caroline into the nursery and to love on her while I attend class and worship. I love those Sunday School classes and Bible discussions. I love "Birthday Sunday" and singing "Happy Birthday/May the Lord Bless You" to all the sweet little children on the stage. I love the moving pictures on Media Shout scrolling behind the powerful texts of the songs we raise to the Father each time we are gathered. I love the people and the place and the purpose....

I am so thankful that many other people at Otter Creek feel the same way. I hope that Scott, Luke, Caroline, and I can contribute our gifts and talents to our new family at OC. I already feel like we have been adopted into the fold here with open arms.

Funny how on some days every event I come across comes full circle 'round (the Holy Spirit at work?!) .... One of the tenets that Sant'Egidio affirms on their site:

"You cannot have God as father without having the church as mother."

an interesting concept to ponder.... or, perhaps, as Jesus described-- "His bride."