Where is The Church

Once a month Cathy Greenawald and I meet with the Presbyterians of Pines Village to share the Lord's Supper. Cathy often brings an article or a devotion to share with us. Last week, she read to us from Ann Weems' wonderful book of poems called "Reaching for Rainbows" (Westminster Press, 1980, p 77-78).

Cathy had chosen a poem titled "Where's the Church?" When she had finished reading everyone who was there thought that the poem should be shared with the whole church. So here it is:

"Where Is The Church?"

The church of Jesus Christ

is where a child of God brings a balloon

is where old women come to dance

is where young men see visions and old men dream dreams

The church of Jesus Christ

is where lepers come to be touched

is where the blind see and the deaf hear

is where the lame run and the dying live

The church of Jesus Christ

is where daisies bloom out of barren land

is where children lead and wise men follow

is where mountains are moved and walls come tumbling down

The church of Jesus Christ

is where loaves of bread are stacked in the sanctuary to feed the hungry

is where coats are taken off and put on the backs of the naked

is where shackles are discarded and kings and shepherds sit down to live together

The church of Jesus Christ

is where barefoot children run giggling in procession

is where the minister is ministered unto

is where the anthem is the laughter of the congregation and

the offering plates are full of people

The church of Jesus Christ

is where the sea divides for the exiles

is where the ark floats and the lamb lies down with the lion

is where people can disagree and hold hands at the same time

The church of Jesus Christ

is where night is day

is where trumpets and drums and tambourines declare God's goodness

is where lost lambs are found

The church of Jesus Christ

is where people write thank you notes to God

is where work is a holiday

is where seeds are scattered and miracles are grown

The church of Jesus Christ

is where home is

is where heaven is

is where a picnic is communion and people break bread together on their knees

The church of Jesus Christ

is where we live responsively toward God's coming.

Even on Monday morning the world will hear

An abundance of alleluias!

May we at FPCValpo be such a church!

Blessings,

Pastor Nancy Becker