The Gift that Keeps on Giving
A portrait of First Church, painted through words on bright sticky notes:
“I love… arranging a floral bouquet to cheer someone. Baking cookies. Israeli folk dancing. Electrical service and repair. Helping my friend Nan resolve her problems with her computer. Humor. Leading a biking trip. Listening, speaking, praying.”
“I could teach… crochet and patience. How to be a friend. Basic home repair and renovations. Budgeting and shopping. Methodist theology. How to play the flute. Basic medical care. Spanish, or English to Spanish speakers. Proper insurance coverage.”
“I carry the experience of… cancer survivorship. Caring for dying parents. Forming healthy boundaries. The gift of numbers. Helping people through grief. International diplomacy. Amateur radio operation. Loss of rabbit, parent, spouse, job, 14-month-old daughter.”
“I care for others by… being a doctor. Coaching through life and work decisions. Cooking, baking. Financial support. Checking in. Listening, listening, listening. Organizing. Making them laugh. Running the dishwasher. Singing. Saying hello. Sharing meals.”
It has been a gift for me to read gifts you shared in worship on July 12. What a rich picture of our faith community’s abundance! This beautiful image shows that it is true: in every person, there is something very good. Every person has something to give, teach, and learn. Every person themselves is a gift.
What about our neighbors and neighborhoods?
I walk in my neighborhood often (not having a car has that handy side effect). It stretches from calm and serene to a little rough and tumble, from packed density to vacant buildings. As I walk, I notice the places where people congregate: the businesses that offer the same thing as the business down the block, but cultivate community at 10x the strength. The pathways that have sensible pedestrian, bike, transit, and car infrastructure, and the intersections that are surely deadly.
It's easy to notice the needs: more quick and accessible food, more shared space with no charge, better signage for all commuters, something to prevent so much trash from piling up daily.
Then, after one of the parades this summer, I was delighted to discover sturdy, city trashcans on every corner. What a gift!
This new addition to the neighborhood has helped prime my eyes to see the other gifts of the neighborhood- not just its needs: the coffeeshop that obliges with water or even a cup of drip coffee for thirsty or tired passersby with no place to rest, the restaurant that remembers not only your family but your parents and grandparents too, and the abundant transit that connects the neighborhood with others. The needs are plentiful, yes, but the gifts are abundant too.
The first week of our series, “What Makes Us Strong,” we shared on post-it notes what we have each been given. The second week, we shared stories and conversation around tables and in the zoom room. This week, we’re looking even wider to notice what God has given each one of us, this time noticing the gifts of our neighbors and neighborhoods.
What are the gifts our neighborhood can share?
Where are the places that build community and compassion?
Who are we connected to who can join hands to do good?
If you’ve ever wondered who else at First Church lives in your area, this is a Sunday not to miss. We’ll be back in the Sanctuary and will sit with our neighbors - whether you’re in Beaverton and Beyond, East County, North Portland, or in between, we’ll learn what connections we share and where are our community’s gifts on the map.
Our area has many needs- this is undeniably true. But we also have so many strengths. This Sunday we’ll capture the unique skills, talents, passions, and connections of our neighborhoods. From the informal club or volunteer group to institutional pillars to our shared spaces to local tradition and history, we’ll share and celebrate the lavish resources that are all around us.
Just like the post-it notes you wrote, this paints a picture of hope: we have much to share, there is much to glean, and there are plenty of paths for our neighbors and neighborhoods to do good. Our communities truly are a gift that keeps on giving. Thanks be to God!
With hope,
Pastor Karyn
P.S. you can come to read all the post-it notes (or add more) in the Sanctuary narthex on Sunday morning. See you then!