A recent fire decimated our local food bank. In a matter of minutes, a great number of needy people were left without a place to get food because of this tragedy. Thankfully, no one was physically hurt in the blaze, but there are a number of folks who were already suffering who now have had their woes multiplied.
Their needs are not being ignored. The good citizens of Chatham have rallied ‘round the Outreach for Hunger Food Bank to make up for what is lost and to ensure that the needy people get what they deserve. Not to be glib or to put too smiley a face on things, but a tragedy has become a kind of blessing: the already kind folks that support Outreach for Hunger have gone out of their way to see things are put right and others have pitched in to help as well.
One surprising blessing came to St. James as a result of this outpouring of food and generosity. It’s not ground-shaking or world-altering, but I thought it was a pretty great moment. It was just a couple of folks dropping off some food for the food bank. Maybe they hadn’t heard about the official drop off spots, maybe they just had acted at the spur of the moment and didn’t want to lose the spark, but for one reason or another, they chose St. James as their drop off spot.
“Were we accepting donations for Outreach for Hunger?” they asked. “Not officially,” I replied, “but I’ll see to it that the food gets to where it needs to be.” Now, you’re probably thinking, “Well that’s not to exciting, Why all the fuss, PJ?” Well, what’s exciting to me is the fact that St. James was seen by those helpful folks as a good place to help. They knew there was a need, and they realized that a church was the right place to see that the need was properly met.
I think that’s exactly how St. James should be seen by others: as a place to go and do the right thing. Whether it’s helping the local food bank or making a stranger feel welcome, that’s what St. James, and indeed all churches, are about. We’re a safe haven in the storm. We’re a place of rest in the hustle and bustle. We are here to help. We’re Jesus presence in a world hungry for something better.
Of course, that’s a given for the folks that call this place their church home. We know that’s what we’re about. Our success, for want of a better word, is not based on what insiders know. OUr success can only come from letting others know what that helpful couple wanted to confirm. We are indeed a place that helps; not just our own folk, but whoever comes our way. See for yourself!
Their needs are not being ignored. The good citizens of Chatham have rallied ‘round the Outreach for Hunger Food Bank to make up for what is lost and to ensure that the needy people get what they deserve. Not to be glib or to put too smiley a face on things, but a tragedy has become a kind of blessing: the already kind folks that support Outreach for Hunger have gone out of their way to see things are put right and others have pitched in to help as well.
One surprising blessing came to St. James as a result of this outpouring of food and generosity. It’s not ground-shaking or world-altering, but I thought it was a pretty great moment. It was just a couple of folks dropping off some food for the food bank. Maybe they hadn’t heard about the official drop off spots, maybe they just had acted at the spur of the moment and didn’t want to lose the spark, but for one reason or another, they chose St. James as their drop off spot.
“Were we accepting donations for Outreach for Hunger?” they asked. “Not officially,” I replied, “but I’ll see to it that the food gets to where it needs to be.” Now, you’re probably thinking, “Well that’s not to exciting, Why all the fuss, PJ?” Well, what’s exciting to me is the fact that St. James was seen by those helpful folks as a good place to help. They knew there was a need, and they realized that a church was the right place to see that the need was properly met.
I think that’s exactly how St. James should be seen by others: as a place to go and do the right thing. Whether it’s helping the local food bank or making a stranger feel welcome, that’s what St. James, and indeed all churches, are about. We’re a safe haven in the storm. We’re a place of rest in the hustle and bustle. We are here to help. We’re Jesus presence in a world hungry for something better.
Of course, that’s a given for the folks that call this place their church home. We know that’s what we’re about. Our success, for want of a better word, is not based on what insiders know. OUr success can only come from letting others know what that helpful couple wanted to confirm. We are indeed a place that helps; not just our own folk, but whoever comes our way. See for yourself!
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