Field Report
Sylvia Duggan sent this in. To read the report she shared with me, click the Comments section.
Marion: you share a lot on your blog with all of us about the things going on in the life at the church that we don't always get to see. I have really appreciated this because it makes me feel more a part of and in connection with the full body of the church. So, I wanted to share with you what went on in West Philly today as part of the body functioned there in a way that struck me as both natural and extraordinary all at the same time. I think we often serve God best when we are doing it with out fully realizing it.
Marion: you share a lot on your blog with all of us about the things going on in the life at the church that we don't always get to see. I have really appreciated this because it makes me feel more a part of and in connection with the full body of the church. So, I wanted to share with you what went on in West Philly today as part of the body functioned there in a way that struck me as both natural and extraordinary all at the same time. I think we often serve God best when we are doing it with out fully realizing it.
posted by M Clark at 12/15/2005 09:57:00 AM
3 Comments:
Today between 9:30 and 11:30
Nine women met in a home to continue their weekly Bible study. During their time together they talked about prayer and worship, how those fit together and how to grow in the practice of prayer. They also gave a pregnant mom restaurant suggestions for a "last night out" before the baby comes; gave another tips for dealing with parents who will be visiting for Christmas and whose TV viewing habits have an adverse effect the grandchildren; gave another suggestions for entertaining small kids on a long car trip. They also shared prayer requests and prayed together. All of this was done beneath the glow of a lovely Christmas tea in a lovely clean and tidy room (which for this mom of small children was a ministry to my soul all its own).
A few blocks away two other women took care of 12 children so that those nine moms could meet. During the previous week, the single care giver had gone to the home of the married care giver, and they had made small Christ-in-the-manger tree ornaments as gifts for each child. They also brought a special snack of cupcakes, and pretzels. They helped the children frost the cupcakes and dip the pretzels in melted chocolate chips and holiday
sprinkles. (They ate the cupcakes and took the pretzels home to their families). The kids also colored and played together.
When the study ended, one study member drove the pregnant mom (who had locked herself out of her home) to a place where she could get to her Dr.'s appointment and arrange to get her keys. Two other moms went together to hear their kids sing in a Christmas concert at the mall. Two others walked home and talked about how hard it is to communicate with and help aging parents who live far away. Two pairs of snow pants that no longer fit one set of kids where handed off to another family. And that is just the short and simplified version of what I saw and heard this morning.
I share this because it encapsulated for me so much of what I have learned at Tenth, much of it through TenthWomen's ministry, about how we minister to each other as we live our lives and share our gifts, talents and experiences. Here in a brief span of time were moms at various stages of experience ministering to each other, women encouraging women, women praying for the church, single and married women ministering to each other, women ministering to the children of the church, talents, gifts, and life experiences being shared, friendships and connections being made. As I think about the life of the church, this is where I see the Sunday teaching meeting the road and bearing fruit in action.
Oh Sylvia, and that is why I miss study!!! Somehow God has blessed our church w/ head knowledge and spirit filled body life at the same time. What a joy to worship at Tenth.
Hey Kathy, you know that you are welcome back on any day when your schedule will allow for it, we miss you too.
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