For All the Saints…

          Halloween is coming (as storefronts and advertisements have been reminding us for awhile already) and that means that a day more important to the church-All Saints Day, November 1-is, too.

          As Presbyterians, we recognize saints! We do not venerate particular individuals, but pick up on the usage in the New Testament: Saints are all seeking to live faithfully as followers of Jesus Christ, as part of his church. They are "sanctified," dedicated to God's service, even though still imperfect as human beings.

          I'd like to acknowledge some saints of our church who do things that are part of our ministry, but aren't often recognized as such. The tasks they do, sometimes out of view of most of us, are service to God, although those who do them and others may not recognize them as such. What makes these "saintly" contributions is that they are done in response to our common calling in Christ, and without these pieces, we wouldn't be whole.

          I'm thinking of the saints who: Spend hours on Saturdays installing new exterior panels, or get up on the roof in rainstorms to stop a major leak, or mow the lawn or tend the atrium (courtyard) with loving care; give loving care in the nursery; answer quickly when a plea goes out for a replacement office computer; work on the church budget and pay the bills; recruit the folks who do coffee hours; step in the gap when there's a need in a children's class; help folks who can't drive to get to church; assist in putting together the Sunday bulletins and Crossroads; do impromptu kitchen cleaning; keep our weekday Nursery School going; practice every Thursday to sing (or ring) on Sundays…

          I take very seriously that all these (and lots more, of course) are essential parts of ministry. Saintly tasks. And this is not just trying to make those who are willing to tend to sometimes-thankless chores feel better. Keeping the grounds and building looking cared-for, or helping to produce a neat-looking bulletin, may not seem like holy work. But a cared-about and cared-for church helps visitors and bypassers to feel that here is a place where they may be cared about and for, too. And that is ministry!

          So here's to all the saints, on November 1 and all year long: Thank you.

          Peace,

Rod