On a beautiful Sunday morning, I made the hour-long drive to visit Jarvis Memorial United Methodist Church in Greenville. Pastor Rhonda Grant Jordan was delivering the message. Although we have worked together on committees, I had never heard her deliver a sermon.
Choosing the contemporary worship service, I entered the fellowship area and immediately noticed a prominently placed “manna box” at the entrance. Bags with healthy essentials were there for anyone entering this place. The placement let you know there was nothing to be embarrassed about if you needed a bag. They were there for anyone and everyone who entered this place.
As I turned to enter the hall, two greeters met me with introductions and small talk that mattered. I was given a welcome bag from the church family and one of them called me by name as I left to find my seat.
In this place were young and old… wealthy and homeless… men and women. The congregation looked like the surrounding community. The praise & leadership team was equally as diverse as the congregation present that morning.
Although, I saw only a snapshot of this church family, it was one that will stay with me forever, I hope. I was praising God surrounded by an amazing tapestry of his very image. I thought to myself many times that morning, “THIS is how we begin to heal our world.”
People were not in silos or seated in clearly defined groups. Homeless were seated by matriarchs. Young were seated by old. The many colors and backgrounds of the world were intermingled and worshiping TOGETHER.
Anyone… from anywhere… could have walked in church on that morning and felt welcomed. Anyone… from anywhere… would have found a way to connect and grow.
I was overwhelmed that morning. The songs chosen for praise & worship were meant for my heart. The words delivered from Pastor Rhonda fed my soul. The people in that place gave me hope for what the church can be for our communities. The spirit of God was surely in that place. ❤️
“In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises.” Galatians 3:28-29 MSG
If you would like to view past editions of A Message from Kim, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-district-lay-leader/
If you would like to connect with Kim please do so through her email, k.smith@nccumc.org