Room of Energy

The Prayer Shawl ministry is alive and well at St Columba’s. While Donna was away caring for an ailing friend in Florida, I thought I would drop in on our knitters. Well, I found out quickly just how naïve this warden is. When I opened the door, hoping to bring some energy to these ladies, I was broadsided with energy and smiles. Love and strong intent radiated from every direction. Every eye did turn my way with a smile and I was enthusiastically welcomed, but I stood a bit unbalanced knowing I was the only non-knitter in the room. Eight or nine ladies (I was too fazed to count) around a circular table all greeted me, but not one knitting needle ever slowed down. Not for one second, while I pawed the ground in that room, did any knitting stop. The colorful shawls were moved around and repositioned, but each move was graceful and lovingly done.
The room’s energy is focused on the recipients of the shawls, whether known or unknown. It’s not a room of gossip; it’s a room of healing. It’s a room full of intentional prayers and repetitive 3-stitch patterns that fill each shawl with comfort and hope. The 3-stich pattern, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, seems to be the means to fill these gifts with God’s Love.
To quote Janet Bristow, who in 1998 established a formal Shawl Ministry, “Shawls…made for centuries, universal and embracing symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles...”
We, the congregation, see the shawls on Sundays, all beautiful, each wrapped and bundled for presentation, or we hear from those presented with a shawl how life changing receiving one can actually be. My friends, I’ve witnessed where thy come from and let me tell you, it’s a wonderful place.
Please let me thank you, each knitter, from all of us at St Columba’s, for your caring gifts. You inspire us to be better and stronger in our own individual ministries. JB

It’s Not the Size of the Grape

As I was having my lunch today, I dropped a grape on the floor. Two things quickly crossed my mind. How I love this fruit, and how valuable each grape is. The bag of grapes sat next to me and beckoned me to play with them.
I counted them, 43 in the bag. I had to do some second thinking as I did the easy math, because I could not believe the visual truths I was seeing. I asked myself, how many grapes equal 10% of this bag.
If someone walked in and asked for a grape, I would have given him a handful. Maybe 10…knowing there would still be plenty for me. If God had asked for a traditional tithe of grapes, only 4 grapes would need to be given. Can you see how little this is…?
Now, substitute pencils for grapes or plants for grapes, or nails, or balloons, whatever you substitute seems to be fine until you say, a …dollar bill…until you say... money. The joy falls out of the giving and I want to ask you why? Somehow, the word money associates fear… Somehow, now the joy of giving is gone. You have taken that joy and without a fight, let it be buried under a fear.
There are some great givers in this Parish, the building itself is a testimony to their generous pledges and giving. Think of their special joy, every Sunday, as they walk thru these doors they helped unlock. Into this beautiful space, we all share because of their personal battle, conquering their own fear associated with money.
Here I speak to those who let the fear of money overcome the joy of giving. Don’t be fooled into thinking giving is any easier for those that have more money. The size of the grape doesn’t matter, 4 grapes out of 43 still leaves plenty.
Experience the Joy…pledge, follow the leadership of the Bishop’s Committee who as a whole, increased their pledges for this upcoming year almost 20%.
If you do pledge, bless you and thank you. Work to increase the number of grapes you joyfully give, you will find you have plenty.
Remember, it’s not what St Columba needs, though our needs are great, the fact is St Columba exists to support your own personal spiritual growth. Experience the growth from the joy of giving. JB