From the Pastor's Pen

Dear friends,

I went with Mike the other day up to Battle Creek for his filming day.  I took my work with me and hung out in his office while he did his thing.  I like to go with him when I can because it gives me a chance to stop by and see my parents who live in Battle Creek.  They are in their 90s.

While we were in the church parking lot, two of the members of Battle Creek First came by.  They had been out visiting in the neighborhood as best as they could given the current Covid conditions. The Battle Creek church sits in the heart of downtown on “church row.”  There are about six large churches in a three block radius.  Behind the church, however, are some neighborhoods similar to the neighborhoods behind our church.  The Battle Creek church has a visitation program in one designated neighborhood.  They stop by several times a year “just to be a good neighbor.”  They check in on people (staying outside with masks and social distancing right now) and often bring a small gift.  They frequently mention to their neighbors they are welcome to come to church, but they are clear to one another they are not doing this to recruit new members. They had an extra gift at the end of the visitation and sent it home with Mike and me.  The cookie was homemade.  I expressed admiration for this ministry to them and Lisa, one of the team, said their visitation area was small.  They hope to expand their reach once we are through the bulk of the pandemic.

I was really impressed with this visitation ministry.  I especially liked their self understanding that they are just being “good neighbors.”  It occurred to me that it might be fun to take valentine cookies to my neighbors here in Elkhart just as a random act of kindness.  I wonder what ways you will share God’s love this weekend.

Peace,

Pastor Sally