Church can mean so many different things to so many different people. Is it the building or the people in the building, the national or international religious organizations, or perhaps it could even be a Jewish temple like where Jesus was, or a mosque, or the wide open spaces of the plains or the beach, within the trees of the forests, or the remote islands often referred to as thin places, where the veil between this world and the next is thought to be thin? Is it where ever we find God?
Matthew 18: 20 – “For where two or three gather in my my name, there am I with them”.
Acts 2: 42 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Hebrews 10: 24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”
Gibson Memorial has a beautiful church building that is a joy to be in. It feels good to drive by it. I spend a lot of time in the sanctuary; for me, it is truly a sanctuary. I feel God’s presence there in the peace and quiet, in the history, in the stained glass windows, in the music I am practicing, and when I remember all the people who came before me in this place. It’s easy to talk with God and hear his voice when I am there. We’ve had some good conversations.
In the words of the song “We Are the Church,” the refrain is “I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together. “ Then the first verse, “The church is not a building, the church is not a steeple, the church is not a resting place, the church is a people.” (UMH # 558)
We, the people, in order to form a place to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, have established Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church in Spring Hope. Although we have been through some challenges, we are still here. And I am feeling good about that! In the past few months, our people have come together to replace the old ramp with a new permanent one that looks great. We are about to embark on a major project to repair the steeple and roof. We host the AA group and the Elite Vocal Ensemble. We help with prison ministries and with La Estrella Resplandeciente. Our people have pulled together to help several others with health problems, from cleaning houses to providing meals and transportation, routinely sending cards, keeping Oakdale Cemetery clean, and many more things. I noticed this past Sunday how good it felt in the worship service. People greet each other, look happy, enjoy the coffee and cookies, smile, bring friends, and participate freely and openly and enthusiastically in the intercessory prayers, liturgy, singing the hymns, and listening to the music. They even seem to enjoy being the “choir “ with the special music. I noticed how many people are from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Honduras, Ecuador, New England, and other faith traditions. This is our church family.
All the surveys, polls, and studies show that what people want in a church is a place to belong, where they can feel welcomed, where they can learn about Jesus and His love for us, how to be more like him, and where they can experience tolerance and acceptance. I think Gibson is a place that offers that.
Open hearts, Open doors, and Open minds – to all of God’s people.
Thanks be to God!
Vickie