Wow....and baseball caps.

First, the baseball caps.   Next week 2 of our own, Barbara Russell and Ben Smith are both going off on 2 different mission trips. 

 

Ben is going to Suriname to help at an orphanage for 3 months, which will include, when he first arrives, helping shop for the backpacks you all helped provide ($2500 worth, which includes school uniforms and school supplies!), then delivering them to the orphanage as he begins his work there.  

 

Barbara is going on a shorter trip to Cuba.  This is where the baseball caps come in.  One of the things folks often do on mission trips is bring gifts for the people they will be visiting.  Along with some fishing hooks and line, Barbara would like to bring baseball caps, with names/logos of professional baseball teams.  Those kinds of caps are very popular in Cuba.  If you have one or more baseball caps with a baseball team’s name or logo that you could part with, please bring it to church this weekend and Barbara will bring it with her on her Cuba trip.  Just one more little way of spreading good will and peace in a world where there is a great need for both.  Thanks!

 

OK, now the Wow part!   This past Monday I sent out an email with a “work in progress” possible “Welcome” greeting for our church brochures and website.  What a wonderful response we’ve had!   But before that, let me give some background.  A form of this “Welcome” has been floating around for some years now in various Roman Catholic and Lutheran Churches (maybe others…but those are the ones I’ve heard of).   There is no “copyright” on it, as it has been adapted for the various settings where it’s been used.  I talked to a Lutheran pastor in Colorado who has used this for several years.  He said they have had very positive responses to it.  The statement that was in the last email was an adaptation to our setting, which your council has been working on.   

 

First, here are a couple of really touching responses from two of our young members who grew up here at Our Savior, who are on our email list, and who are off to college doing post graduate work.  

 

“Pastor Jack, I read this email because I needed a pick me up right before bed.  I started reading the welcome statement and just started crying.  I think it is perfect.   In a world where so much is messed up it reminded me that all that truly matters is Jesus’ love for each and every single person that has ever been or will ever be on this earth. It’s an honor to call OSLC my church home with a statement like that.   L.A. “   

 

  “I really like the welcome statement. I’ve always felt that OSCL was very welcoming to people and it took a few years after leaving Vero to learn that other churches aren’t.  I was surprised to learn that some churches try to influence the political decision making of their congregation and I’m still infuriated to know that some churches tell groups of people that God hates them.  Keep up the good work.   A.B.” 

 

Along with these responses, we have received many really kind words and helpful suggestions and ideas.  So, this work in progress will continue, and there will be an official “Welcome” statement coming soon.   A sincere thanks for all of your thoughts, comments and suggestions.   It’s so wonderful to have so many involved in something like this.   And that is so good, because the statement does begin….”WE welcome you….”.  And that “WE” includes all of you!

 

Gratefully,       Pastor Jack Diehl +              www.oursaviorelca.com