This coming Sunday the gospel from Mark includes the Parable of the Mustard Seed, and as the preacher assigned for the day, that story has been ruminating in my mind this week. One interpretation among others, in its most simplified form, is that even the tiniest act (the size of a mustard see) can have profound ripple effects on ‘the other’. I have witnessed several such small and significant acts recently and I want to call your attention to them.
- A member of the parish asked if she could get a prayer shawl from our knitting ministry to take to a friend who was starting chemo. How wonderful that not only did the parishioner think of this kindness but also that she utilized the gift of the blanket that was made by a member of the knitters! (Please know I always have blankets, baby caps etc for you to do the same!)
- Last week, a beloved member of the choir, Betty Schildwachter, died and her funeral was on Friday. 20 members of our choir, along with Henry Lowe and Bert Landman, collaborated to be a significant part of the service, paying their respects to the fact that Betty sang in our choir for 50 years. The family was extraordinarily touched. And, many of those who sang last week were newer members of the choir so had not known her.
- This past week I took 2 large plastic bags of prayer shawls, baby caps and blankets to GBMC for patient distribution from the Chaplain’s office. The abundance of love, generosity and talent represented was huge. Thank you to all who have contributed to this ministry….it continues to flourish!
- Recently one of you told me the story that on a Sunday morning, she noticed a ‘stranger’ sitting in the pew alone in front of her. Our parishioner introduced herself and asked if the ‘stranger’ knew anyone. When the reply was ‘no’, our parishioner immediately said, “Well you do now”, and then moved up to sit beside her. They engaged in conversation until the service began. Right before communion, the ‘stranger’ indicated that she needed to get to the airport to catch her plane back to Texas. As she thanked ‘our’ parishioner for her hospitality, she took off a simple silver ring that had “LOVE” engraved on it and insisted she receive it. With that she was gone. Hearing that story makes me teary.
This parish is so full of sowers of seeds of kindness and generosity towards one another and our community. You are a big hearted congregation! In Mark’s gospel, Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is as someone would scatter seeds on the ground.” I think it safe to say, The Church of the Redeemer is like the kingdom of God as each of you continue to scatter your seeds of spiritiuality….so many blessings! Thank you, thank you dear people of Redeemer!