”
We are each spinning our individual threads, lending texture,
color, pattern, to the
”
big design
”
that is serving us all.
”
(Karen Casey)
“We are each spinning our individual threads, lending texture, color, pattern, to the “big design” that is serving us all.” (Karen Casey)
This Sunday, Methodists will become Lutherans, Catholics will become Methodists, and Presbyterians will become Catholics for a day. In honor of it being Unity Sunday, an exchange takes place between the mainline churches of Gilroy in which pastors swap pulpits and make appearances at each others’ churches. The local Ministerial Council coordinates this annual event which plunges pastors of various denominations into unfamiliar currents. This short immersion gives them each a feel for the personality of each others’ congregations, music and style. There may be a bit of culture shock for some participants, such as the time Father Robert was subjected to “Thank God I’m a Methodist,” sung to the tune for “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.” Or how surprised I was one year when the Presbyterians launched into the fastest version of “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love,” that I’ve ever heard. The tempo left me tongue-tied at 8:30 in the morning, but after all, this was billed as the “contemporary service,” as I reminded myself.
Nevertheless, this Sunday event is often one of the best of the year, second only to the joy of an Easter or Christmas Eve service. You get the best from each participant, as each one strives to give a glimpse of what he or she has to offer. The pastors who participate tell me that they have come to really enjoy this Gilroy tradition, and they truly look forward to the way it brings people together.
The book Chuck Flagg quoted from recently in his Nov. 21 column, “How to Be a Perfect Stranger” (Skylight Paths Publishing, 2003), described how we are living in a time “when airwaves and radio talk shows are dominated by those who would use religious faith as a cover for intolerance … and who cynically use the spark of faith to ignite culture wars and divide North America into bickering camps.” I find Gilroy so refreshing in the way its people of faith work together in cooperation and helpfulness with each other as much as possible.
“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but look for them.” (Russell H. Conwell)
When you take the time to visit other peoples’ places of worship and of service, you realize just how much we all have in common with each other. You realize that more people go to church than you thought, and you realize how much good news is taking place in the world. You see the Presbyterian Church members holding hands as they crossed the finish line of a fund raiser to benefit the American Stroke Association in which they raised more than $16,000; you see the members of Gilroy’s Jewish Congregation Emeth serving Christmas dinner as part of the Lord’s Table program. The Jewish Congregation gave St. Joseph’s staff the day off for Christmas by sending over 20 volunteers to serve dinner to 125 homeless and low-income people. You’re reminded of how many people want to do good in their own communities, and it’s inspiring to realize just how many people want to do good in ours. It’s like seeing a pebble splash onto the calm surface of a pond and watching as the ripples spread outward, ever-widening.
Have you had a kindness shown? Pass it on;
‘Twas not given for thee alone, Pass it on;
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another’s tears.
Pass it on.
– Rev. Henry Burton
