End of year need: $182,861
It is our tradition on the first Sunday of every month to participate in the Lord’s Supper. And after we partake and celebrate, we share signs of peace with one another. Fun fact: when I was a resident, I forgot the part when the congregation says it back and just walked away. It still haunts me that I might do it again someday! There’s something about this time together where we have moments to build relationships and community with one another. This is the time where I would run down straight to Charlie Burgin and say “Peace!” and he would respond with “Peace back at you, Timmy.” Or the time of laughter and jokes with the youth as we excitedly share in the short moment together. Or high fives with choir members.
We take the time to share something the world does not normally know how to relate to: peace. A peace that surpasses all understanding and leads us together into the glorious light. We pass peace into each other’s hands, for the times and moments we have forgotten peace was even possible. The passing of peace is a time to lift the spirits of those who are down or even sit with them on their journey. It seems somewhat like a Baptist potluck; we eat together, and everyone brings a bit of something — peace — to the party and shares it in their own way. It is the start of community with someone you do not know or even the continuation of long tenured friendships
There is something about being generous with what is sparse in the world. It is like this magic power, or rather some heavenly power, shared between each other. You may not realize it, but there is generosity even in the sharing of what is needed emotionally and mentally — Peace, Love, Joy, Hope, Harmony, Grace, etc. If we want to be the cause of gratitude and generosity, we must reinforce the impact generosity plays in our congregation and why it is necessary to our congregation and community.
We as Wilshire have chosen to announce, seek, receive and bear witness to the kingdom of God in such unique and holy ways. It is through the people being completely open to discerning where the Spirit is moving, grabbing hold and moving with it. Wilshire’s vision and mission continue to be “to become a bold witness to the way of Christ in our time” and “to build a community of faith shaped by the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” We will continue to do both, which calls us outside our comfort zones and even these walls.
By giving, we are taking what we have to accomplish our God given mission — individually and together — in our congregation. As Christian stewards, we align our lives and ministries with God’s intentions for God’s world. Consider how you can give to sustain and continue the work we are doing together.
I love you,
—Timmy