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Hospitality
Feb. 1st, 2020 08:16 pmM was the second baby baptized in the church where I serve.. which makes him 60-something. He's a delightful man, intelligent, talented, fun, kind. Lifelong bachelor, but for 10 years he has spent much time with A and referred to her as his girlfriend. Last year M had a brief moment of aphasia, and loving friends urged him to see his doctor, and it was brain cancer. He had surgery, and came through it magnificently, but was told it's a type that always comes back. He and A went off to Europe for several months.
After returning, M started coming to church a bit more frequently than before; and then A began to come with him occasionally (most of us had not met her until then). Just before Christmas, our pastor began a sermon by asking us each to turn to our neighbor, look them in the eyes and say "Yes!" We learned 2 weeks ago that M turned to A and said "Will you marry me?" and she did say yes!
Then M got a chance to get into an experimental treatment beginning next week-- so they decided to get married first. We at church learned last Sunday that they would get married today, and were planning a very simple ceremony and coffee-and-cake reception.
My church struggles with hospitality, all too often offering it reluctantly and grudgingly, or not at all; but this whole story sparked something. Two women asked permission to expand on that reception, and nearly all the active members of the church jumped on board. So today M and A were married, in an absolutely full sanctuary, and had a full reception with a banquet of finger foods and lovely decorations. M and A were radiantly happy, and I'm daring to hope that the joy of the day might revive an understanding of the gift of hospitality.
On a side note, A's nephew played the organ today. He's a PhD in Organ Performance... and I don't think I suffered at all by comparison.
After returning, M started coming to church a bit more frequently than before; and then A began to come with him occasionally (most of us had not met her until then). Just before Christmas, our pastor began a sermon by asking us each to turn to our neighbor, look them in the eyes and say "Yes!" We learned 2 weeks ago that M turned to A and said "Will you marry me?" and she did say yes!
Then M got a chance to get into an experimental treatment beginning next week-- so they decided to get married first. We at church learned last Sunday that they would get married today, and were planning a very simple ceremony and coffee-and-cake reception.
My church struggles with hospitality, all too often offering it reluctantly and grudgingly, or not at all; but this whole story sparked something. Two women asked permission to expand on that reception, and nearly all the active members of the church jumped on board. So today M and A were married, in an absolutely full sanctuary, and had a full reception with a banquet of finger foods and lovely decorations. M and A were radiantly happy, and I'm daring to hope that the joy of the day might revive an understanding of the gift of hospitality.
On a side note, A's nephew played the organ today. He's a PhD in Organ Performance... and I don't think I suffered at all by comparison.
