We Are Family
Over the years, with some regularity I have heard the church described as “a business.” Typically the phrase comes when we are discussing the financial life of the congregation, and to be fair there is truth in the description.
We do have some very business-like concerns — how much money is coming in versus how much is going out, being one of the clearest examples. About now I am tempted to point out that St. James UMC does have some financial concerns, though not actually worse than most years at the end of August.
That however, is not my intention this week. Rather, I want to remind you all that while St. James (and any other church) has business-like qualities and concerns, that isn’t the only thing that we are. We are a family, too.
About ten days ago, Chris Garcia came into my office to share why he had been out of the office that morning. It seems that while he didn’t let anyone of us know, he had been having a heart catheterization, and would be having surgery. On Wednesday, August 28, Chris will have bypass surgery. He will be out of the office and away from his regular activity for approximately three months.
This is a moment when we, the congregation of St. James need to come together as a family. One of our own needs us. This isn’t a moment for business-like efficiency, it is a time for the care that only a Christian congregation can offer.
I know you will be praying for Chris and Lynne and all involved. I know there will be support for Chris as a member of the congregation and you will be sending cards, letters, phone calls, and most likely meals. We are good at that, and I am grateful for all that you are sure to do. At the same time, I want to ask for your understanding as the remainder of our church staff seeks to fill just a little bit of the very big shoes that Chris leaves for us.
We have a team that will be working to produce our newsletters. I think we will be able to get them out as we have, but I would ask you to be understanding. I would ask, as well, that you help us to be sure that all the information that Chris seems to gather by some magical form of osmosis is communicated to the team (you can email Jacob McCain) so that we can share it. I would ask that you forgive the typographical errors and syntax errors that Chris so blithely finds and corrects. Mostly, I ask that you receive whatever comes with the grace you would offer your family in a time of need.
I am very sure there are going to be some things that slip through the cracks over the next few weeks and months. Chris seems to be involved in every part of our life together and does so very much to keep things moving. (Did you know that Chris is the one that produces those signs that tell you who the ushers and greeters are? That happens every week. Or, did you know that Chris often does the dishes after TGIW?) It is easy to take for granted what has always been a part of our life together. This is an occasion for us to realize all that Chris does.
November will come, and I know I will be dancing to see Chris be about the ministry he does so very well. Until then, please remember we are a family and let’s all do the very best we can and hold each other with grace.
Pastor Tom
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