Dear Members and Friends,
This is not the epistle I had composed for our summer newsletter. Having that one all set and ready to go I had to pull it at the very last minute because of something more pressing to share.
It has come to my attention that at this writing, because of the generosity of many in our midst, we have already covered most of our cost outlay for the upgrade of our Nursery. This in a campaign not two weeks old! But that is only part of the story.
You see, as one considers the burgeoning list of contributors it is obvious and incredibly informative that the bulk of those supporting this effort thus far do not have young ones in the Nursery themselves. Many do not have small children at all. This fact alone is testimony to the depth and caliber of love that we have in our church. Unlike what so often happens in politics and in the world, this is not about a certain demographic caring for its own. It is about a congregation seeing itself as a family, a Body within which we are all bonded to each other in ways beyond physical biology.
Sometimes we may wonder what it must have been like to live in biblical times with others of like mind walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Because we no longer wear togas and sandals, and because we may carry a sentimentalized view of the Early Church, I believe it is difficult for us to affirm the quality of discipleship in our own day and time. Nevertheless, I would submit that within this present endeavor of giving we are enacting the vision of Christianity that Paul had in mind so long ago. On the outside, jeans may have replaced robes and cars taken over from chariots, but underneath we are strong Christians like those who went before us - believers in Christ and faithful to his Mission.
Do I sound proud? I am. It is just that when I see actions that articulate the Gospel so much better than any sermon I have to say something. For while it can be accurately asserted that many of our benefactors have no young ones of their own, from the Christian point of view, the deeper truth is that these folks do have small children - infants, toddlers, youth and adolescents who are all theirs in Christ. In a healthy church, there are no "men's" or "women's" or "youth" issues. There are simply challenges and blessings that in touching just one, impact us all.
While appearing to be about paint, carpet and furnishings, our Nursery renewal has really turned out to be about great people like you responding to others whom the Lord has brought our way. It does not get any better than this. We still have significant goals ahead of us, but we also have God, active in the hearts of our people.
From Reverend William J. Keane,
Senior Minister of First Baptist Church of Branford
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