We are a church of rich heritage and warm hospitality which follows Christ into worship shares with Christ in fellowship and serves Christ both within and beyond our doors
Our Core Values are faith in God and Jesus Christ love for neighbors both near and far and a burning desire to bring hope, wholeness and joy to all peoples in all stations of life
From the Parish Associate. . .FROM THE PARISH ASSOCIATE A good read in recent weeks was “The Misremembered Man” by Christina McKenna. There’s a character in the book, a rather pessimistic fellow, Matty Dougan. Matty, Paddy McFadden, and Jamie McCloone (the main character in the story) are in O’Shea’s Bar discussing Jamie’s doctor-prescribed plan for Jamie to go on a diet. Matty Dougan offers his opinion of this. “I wouldn’t bother with all that. Sure, none of us is gettin’ no younger and we’re all gonna wind up wearin’ the wooden overcoat soon enough.” Matty carried the attitude of the eternal pessimist; a man who felt badly when he felt good for fear he’d feel worse when he felt better.” Lately, I have had to weather a combination of minor ailments that may have pulled me into thinking and feeling a bit like Matty Dougan. I don’t want to be like that guy! The details are not worth itemizing here, but I will simply say thanks for your patience and expressions of concern. The experience did help me to better understand the plight of our folks when they get sick and some of the complications involved. It seems that when we reach a certain age (we won’t admit at this point which age that might be!) we begin to have more frequent doctor appointments, and these days that turns out to be maybe four or five highly trained physicians, each one for a specific region of our aching frame. Further, there are usually prescription medications to keep up with for a multitude of conditions, some of the capsules to be taken daily, some twice or thrice daily, or some every other day and preferably at the same time of day. Some pills are to be taken with food. (I love the ones taken with food. That I can handle!) Most of the medications come with warning labels, like: “This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine. You might wind up in Marion when you only intended to go as far as Morganton. Thought you might use your chain saw? Don’t be a doofus.” Well, that’s the way I would write the warning label. We are people of faith, and we do the best we can. We are thankful to have the present day, another chance to try to plumb the depths of God’s creative grace, the joy of it, and the privilege of being in fellowship with others. If taking our medicines will help further our wise doctors’ efforts on our behalf, we will do it with thanksgiving and resolve. While I was sick, I also gave some thought to what it feels like to be counted among the prayer concerns of the church. There’s comfort in that, but also a degree of anxiety. We are proud folks. We like to think we are always in control and not dependent on anyone for help. At the church office, we try very hard to honor people’s wishes regarding pastoral care and outreach. Sometimes, it’s true that we just feel so miserable we would rather not be bothered. Please be assured that we ‘get the bigger picture’ on these situations, but we still want to provide quality care for all our folks, and it is, of course, a matter of two-way communication. It’s really O.K. to say, “Hey, I wanted you to know that I’m sick; I value your prayers and concern, but I will look forward to seeing you when I’m in a better condition to visit, etc.” Such a relationship is always filled with the Spirit of Christ, who is our ultimate wholeness. Thanks be to God! |
