community

In 2010 our church, The Chapel, set a "Wildly Important Goal" of deploying 250 ministers into our community. Honestly, I think that number is way too low...though our congregation is only 5 years old, we are growing and the whole reason is because we are a church that goes out and does things. We don't just focus on our congregation---we hear about an issue and we take care of it. When I 1st heard of the goal as we were planning last year, my 1st thoughts were, "cool! people are going to go out and feed more hungry, clothe more people, take care of children...I wish I had time to do that..." As the months have gone by, I have become more and more aware that those are SUPER important things and we should all serve in that way, somehow...BUT we are called to serve in our own everyday lives...we must figure out our ministry in the day-to-day. I have become more and more aware of my calling and my ministry in this community...

This past weekend was our annual "Relay For Life" here in Glynn County. Its the 16th year and it is HUGE! Everyone is somehow involved. color me happy had a team for the 2nd year...I was reminded and in awe of what has happened just by opening a "cute little store."

When we 1st opened, almost 5 years ago, I was still living in Bremen and traveling to Brunswick while mom took care of the day-to-day things. In walked a pregnant woman and her husband to paint...I got a phone call from my mom, "this lady just came in with her husband to paint. I just KNOW that you are going to be friends. I told her all about you. She's pregnant, too and and she's an artist...her name is ED and I just know you are going to be good friends!" At the time, I was a little embarassed that my mom was setting me up...turns out she was right. I don't know what I would do without ED in my life. She is one of the most giving, funny, fabulous people I know...we wouldn't have met if it hadn't been for this store...

Shortly after we opened, a woman walked in that we had actually lost touch with. Diane lived down the street from me growing up. My brother and her son were very close through school and she was the only one that cut my hair til college...life got in the way, kids left home, and mom and her didn't see each other as often. When she walked in the store we re-connected---she was actually fighting breast cancer and after her radiation treatment, she would come and paint to make herself feel better (part of her therapy). She has been all clear for a couple years now and still comes to paint every week. She has become a staple in our lives and the lives of my children. This woman is amazingly strong...she is in her 60's, still works full time as a hairdresser on her feet all day, beat cancer, dealt with the shocking loss of her oldest son last year...not only is she still kickin'...she is one of the happiest, most giving, loving, and sarcastic person I know. She is the reason we started our Relay Team.

I tell you all this to say this...I looked at all the people that were gathered under our pink tent, in their pink shirts, and realized, "man, we've got some great people in our lives..." and most likely, they wouldn't have come together if it weren't for our little store. We have created our own community of people to celebrate engagements and weddings, laugh at our mistakes, welcome babies, even mourn losses....and just be great friends that care. And these are just the people that have become like family to us---I hope there are many others that feel color me happy has brought them together and given them a place to "be"...

It took me a long time, after not being on staff at a church, to realize that "ministry" isn't about getting your paycheck signed my the head of a finance committee. Ministry is what you are called to do in your everyday life. I am a minister in my community. I own a paint-your-own-pottery studio and I am striving to create a place where people feel welcomed and valued and maybe even give them a place where they are missed if we don't see them for awhile and where they know they can find a smiling face just by walking in the door.


Remember my friend ED? She wrote us a little note a couple years ago that we keep on our bulletin board...I read it a lot to help remind me what we are doing here...here is a little piece...
"Thanks for providing an endless stream of creative inspiration--and drawing crazy wonderful people to sit amongst your tables and make talk worth talking."


No, thank you...for whatever we have created here for others, we--myself, my mom, and, thankfully, my kids get it back 100-fold...I had no idea opening a "cute little store" would be so life-altering...