Friday, April 27, 2007

Dear God,

I needed a United Methodist hymnal. So I had to go searching for a United Methodist Church. When I was lost coming to the small town of Lebanon, Kentucky, population 3,000, I had driven by an Assembly of God Church, a Christian Church, a Church of Latter Day Saints, and a United Methodist Church, but where any church was, who could remember. I have problems with direction!

I started driving and lo and behold, I found it. I walked into the office area where a man in shorts sat typing on the computer. I identified myself as a UMC pastor and he stood up and greeted me in his Kentucky drawl, "Sister, welcome. I am happy to help you." Pastor of the church he lead me upstairs into the 1930's Akron-style sanctuary. A gigantic stained glass resurrection window rose high above the back of the sanctuary. Reds, golds, yellows, and blues cried out, "He is risen. He is risen indeed!"

Handing me a hymnal he urged me to stay as long as I wanted. "God bless your ministry, Sister." He said to me as I sat in the front pew. Then he turned and left me alone. For several minutes I sat quietly taking in the beauty of God's sanctuary. I prayed for Darren, the pastor, and the ministry of their church.

Then I took out my legal pad and started writing, leafing through the hymnal to select hymns for the Sunday morning bulletin. I hadn't had time to complete the bulletin before I left for the wedding.

As I wrote down everything I needed, I sat back once again to drink in God's own house. It was then that the realization came to me. There's always a church close by to help out. I can enter any church and ask for prayer, get directions, use the bathroom, talk to a pastor, cry, or use a hymnal. I felt comforted in that knowledge and knew that the church was there not only for me but anyone who needed it. That's why the church exists, to meet people where they are, to usher them into your holy presence, to stir their hearts, to challenge their souls, to peak their interest in a loving God, and to direct them into holy living.

I prayed once againfor Pastor Darren and his congregation and gave thanks for the ministry they offer to those who enter through their doors. This could be my church, I thought, I could worship here and find God. Every few blocks in any town a church sits waiting for pilgrims, seekers to sit with God, to lead them to a more joyous life, to give them sight of peace and hope.

Hours later I stood in the chancel of St. Augustine's Catholic Church. Packed with people who had gathered to celebrate the union of Steve and Dana, the priest Father Chuck and I bowed at the altar, then climbed the steps to stand before it. We then turned to look out among the faithful. What a grand sanctuary, Mary poised high above on the right side, Joseph on the left, Jesus behind us. A trumpet sounded with the organ. It could have been heaven. In fact it was heaven at that moment. I closed my eyes and smiled as I prayed, giving thanks for your presence.

We were Protestants and Catholics together, worshipping. Steve, United Methodist, Dana Roman Catholic were bringing their faith together in the liturgy of the church. My message to them, to all gathered, was one of unity and responsibility "to bring an example of living faith to a world fractured by conflict."

As we moved once again to the altar to declare this union I looked into Steve's eyes remembering his confirmation years ago. And just over his shoulder I could see his mother, my beloved former covenant group member Susan, tears streaming down her face and I realized I was in your loving presence. Paradise.

Anywhere, anytime
can be a wondrous occasion
in your presence.
"Where two or three
are gathered,
there you are
in the midst."
The gospel writer wrote.
It is true.
You are present
and the reality
of faith
is once again observed,
a tangible moment
in time,
a magnificent moment
where God
and God's people
stand together.

Humbly, Andrea