God's Kingdom found at Grand Avenue

“The Kingdom is here!!” In the words of Jesus from the Gospel according to Luke!! We saw the Kingdom at Grand Avenue Temple on the Second Sunday of Advent. Three of us have born witness to it!! A piece of God’s Kingdom appeared and was visible during our celebration of Holy Communion. It became a reality as our eyes focused on God’s Gifts.

Our Lay Delegate to Annual Conference, who lives in Shawnee, Kansas first mentioned in in an email to me and a few key church leaders the next day saying: “I was so touched with the mighty presence of the Holy Spirit in yesterday’s service. I just had to express my joy with you. I observed the congregation one by one receiving the gift of Communion and was both humbled and energized…it occurred to me that we may be missing a key measurement in our reporting to the annual conference. A number of people here are not blessed with a lifestyle that translates into formal membership or the church coffers, but when a person fully chooses to get up and receive Communion like most of the folks in our pews do, I believe that is possibly an action that translates into, ‘I belong here, I join Grand Avenue Temple, this is my church, I accept Jesus, I am saved’ I want the Bishop to know that Ron’s welcoming presence has resulted in a Communion of God’s Kingdom and that doesn’t happen just everywhere. Now, how can I communicate that to the Methodist system?”

The Chair of our Church Council responded: “I was touched in a very similar way yesterday during communion. As I sat watching everyone partake, I was overwhelmed with the sense that it truly is an example of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Last Year, I expressed this as my vision for Grand Avenue in one of our meetings with the Church of the Resurrection. They didn’t believe it could work. But it does work and we saw it yesterday! The ratio of Sojourner to “supporting member” may not be what we want, but I have to believe that both types will grow.”

I had tears in my eyes that morning myself as I stood behind the altar table and witnessed the wide range of socio-economic backgrounds represented in that line standing before me receiving the Gifts of God. Every barrier was broken: racial, economic, gender, age and even religious as we stood there in God’s presence. I was so blessed that the witness came from two of our congregation’s leaders even before I had shared my experience with anyone. This was an unmistakable Epiphany!! There was an eschatological manifestation of the Kingdom of God and we saw it!! It is our dream come true!! This is our hope, our vision and our mission. And would you believe it, the next Sunday we baptized Emmanuel Koah, a six year old who came forward with his mother and brother and sister. God has truly been with us on our amazing journey this year.

Rev. Ron

Community Service Hours

One of the objectives of The Board of Directors of Lazarus Ministries is to provide opportunity for volunteers to give service hours to the community in the context of their faith. Individuals who serve at Grand Avenue Temple through Lazarus Ministries are sometimes fulfilling a calling from God, sometimes a requirement from their school and sometimes a requirement of the court penal system. In any case, we are blessed to provide opportunity for service. The newest motive for service is fulfilling school requirements. In recent years many schools have realized that students may contribute positively to the community while they are learning by being involved in service hours at the many non profit organizations that seek to improve our city. We are one of many that do this, but we are unique in that we provide that opportunity in the context of a faith environment because of the unique marriage of Lazarus Ministries and Grand Avenue Temple.

When our Emergency Shelter for Women recently opened for our 2011-2012 Winter Season, the first night’s meal was provided by the, FCCLA. Family and Consumer Community Leaders of America, chapter at the Orrick, Missouri High School. The class was actually divided into two groups so their teacher brought the class twice that first week to provide a service to the community and a learning opportunity for the students. Eight students and a parent accompanied the teacher. If you don’t recognize the name of the organization, FHA, Future Homemakers of America, may ring a bell. Home Economics has been renamed Consumer Sciences and continues to contribute positive skills and attitudes to homes and families in America. That teacher, in case you are wondering who could be so creative, is Denice Thomas, who is also a member of the Orrick United Methodist Church and an active Lazarus supporter.

Conference 2011 Reflections

At the United Methodist Annual Conference a few weeks ago, Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver spoke and told a story about a man and his 18 grandkids who always made it to church without fail. He was once asked if he had a favorite, when he replied yes, the room went silent and everyone was listening to find out the favorite.

He said the favorite is the one who was hurt, the one who is sick or the one who is in need.

Grand Avenue Temple is like that grandfather; we are looking for those who need us. We are looking at downtown and looking at the new needs and seeking out those who are in need of support. Downtown is changing and we are seeking new opportunities to help those in need, not just the homeless, we are seeking to support them, whoever they are.