Our Worship without Wall is so aptly named: WoW! WoW Sunday felt like an exclamation point, especially after we so fully and beautifully leaned into the Easter story on one Sunday and then opened the doors so a resurrected spirit could flow out in service on another. Thanks to Christine and the Worship Ministry for taking this special service Sunday under its care, to Kari and Ev for coordinating the many projects and the people who helped shape the day, and to the Parish Life Ministry for the food and fellowship that gathered us and got us all going.
While COVID pushed back on our serving as wide as we’d have liked, 104 people were engaged in service in so many ways. While we’re still hearing from project leaders, we know this:
Lisa’s team created at least 20 soft blankets for Linus Project. What is so moving is that several of the blankets were made by our children for children. That’s some very special love, security, warmth and comfort going to young ones who are seriously ill or traumatized.
Terry’s team assembled at least 100 blessing bags. These small kits of hygiene items and socks are a way to meet a need in the moment. They’re easy to keep in your car or carry in a backpack or briefcase. When you aren’t sure what else you can do, even meeting a need in a small way like offering a blessing bag can help someone take a next step.
Carolyn’s group of gourmands filled the church freezer to the brim with containers of homemade soup and cookies. Caring Ministry will use this bounty to bring love to anyone in need, not just of soup, but of company and conversation. And Carol Gilderoy’s crew made beautiful handmade cards that can go out with each delivery to let each person in care know the whole church is holding them close.
Jenny had two crews covering every inch of our grounds. Volunteers tucked wheelbarrows of compost around tulips and rhodies, and others toted fresh woodchips to the play area at the back of the church. All scrubbed, brushed, raked, repaired, and restained the big playtoy until it looks almost new. The new preschool that is preparing to fill the lower church level noticed! And they already wrote a note of surprise and thanks for our care and welcome.
Lucy had a whole parking lot of volunteers trying to prevent a traffic-jam during our Recycle Roundup. Cars started coming before we even opened the doors of the church, and the flow didn’t let up until 1Green Planet told us all their trucks were stuffed to capacity with all kinds of trash that will be kept out of landfills and sustainably recycled. The community was so grateful for this free event that by the end of the day, they’d given over $3,000 in offering, which we’ll use for greater mission and service.
Bron took her FUN (Fauntleroy Ukulele Neighbors) project on the road. Thanks to Chris, Mike, Zack, Betsy and Conrad for joining Bron in some front porch music for folks in the neighborhood who can’t always make it to church. They had so much fun, this might just become a regular travelling music ministry.
Sarah led a crew out at the White Center Foodbank. When we asked what we could do for them, they instantly responded they needed their garden beds prepped for planting fresh produce that will supplement donations to the foodbank. Stevi and Clayton said they had the weeds out and a crop of fresh chard in the ground by the time they left. The coordinator at the foodbank offered them a blessing and oleander bulbs in gratitude.
And, finally, some of our members attended a Bystander Intervention Training hosted by Admiral Church in order to learn how to safely and effectively intervene when they witness hate-based incidents in the community.
So yes…WoW!! For offering resurrection love and care of children, the vulnerable and hungry, our neighbors and strangers, and our earth, all in one morning. All ages, all of us together doing God’s work in big and small ways in the world. Yes, thanks and WoW!
