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I often hear people say, ―The church is always asking for money,‖ and I agree. We are always pre-senting giving opportunities to all of you. No one can give to everything, that’s for sure. But the extra giving demonstrated by the First Parish family, especially this past month, is something to cele-brate!
I’ve discovered over the years that what is really important—when it comes to giving— is the worth of the project, rather than how many times the church comes asking. I think you have proven this last month; if the project is worthy, a solid group will get behind it with love and joy. When a serious need is honestly presented and the details are shared, most will agree that this opportunity is really God knocking, providing an occasion for generous love.
Here is a very brief history of how many loving hearts here at First Parish gave ―over and above.
You gave to the Good Friday Walk, sharing $3,250 with poor children through Sharing, Inc. You gave over $2,500 to One Great Hour of Sharing on Easter Sunday. This gift goes through the U.C.C. to be added to gifts from thousands of others to meet the physical needs resulting from natural catas-trophes worldwide.
You contributed almost $1,000 to our two college students reaching out to the poor this summer: Carolyn Conlon to El Salvador, and Austin Kennedy to Ghana.
You gave over $800 to Jews for Jesus when Oded Cohen asked for support, during his Sunday pres-entation of Christ in the Passover.
You gave to our Spring Community Dinner on Palm Sunday when Jill and Darcy asked for volun-teers and contributions. Together we afforded genuine Christian hospitality to over 200 of our ―neighbors.
You gave financial support, tangible donations, time, and energy to our Antiques Show Committee that gave uncounted hours of their time.
Others of you give regularly to our clothing closet, not just clothes, but hours and hours of sorting, arranging, and ―tending store on the third Saturday of every month. Speaking of the third Saturday of every month, a group continues to provide, cook, and serve a community breakfast. Another group gathers on the third Friday to cook 80+ meals for Rosie’s Place in Boston and twelve other small groups—coordinated by Jen Black volunteer to deliver those 80+ meals to Harrison Avenue on Saturday afternoons.
Still others rehearsed and presented our Passion for the Christ drama on Maundy Thursday/Good Fri-day. Pam Abkarian wrote, directed the new play and played the role of Mary Magdalene. The ef-forts of the 14 members of the cast was truly ―above and beyond.‖ Then you all came and brought others and contributed above $800 to this special Easter outreach. What opportunities God has given! And how generously you responded. Truly God ministered truth and grave through us this Easter season.
R.A.W.
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