Staff Reflections: Family of God

Recently I attended an interfaith meeting of nearby churches to discuss how faith communities could work together on social justice issues. The first speaker stated that by virtue of being faith communities, we inherently have and carry with us a strong value system that drives our ministries.

I began to think about how that very statement permeates our church family, to which we often refer as the Family of Christ, and rightfully so! I am constantly inspired and awed by the showing of God’s love through the hands of our members.

We had a funeral this week of a member who hadn’t been worshiping with us for very long. During her short time with us, while she was on a journey with cancer, she was spiritually fed by a care team that had a tea for her when her cancer recurred, walking her through the steps of resuming treatment or not. Her caregiver was a church member also, lovingly managing her personal needs as her health declined. She became a member of our “Health Warriors” support group, who loved her through her days. She also gave back by joining a team that utilized her gift of photography to create gifts for others. They were all present to meet her family from out of town and sing her on her way to Heaven.

And last week I recognized His love again when a family member from out of town visited his relative, who has also been supported by a care team through her aging years. He was greeted at the airport by one of them, stayed in their home while visiting, shared a dinner with the whole care team. Tonight he writes us all on his return home: “You can’t imagine how much I appreciate all that is done for her behalf by such a fantastic group. You hear and read about supporting those in need but to actually see it and feel the genuine words of affection made me know that God has touched our hearts!”

We thank God for the blessing of church family, for prayers that rise daily, sometimes hourly, for worship and fellowship with the communion of Saints!