I was Beverly’s +1 at an out of town conference where she taught community mental health workers about suicide awareness and prevention. I found a wonderful local coffee shop and settled at the front window table with a cold brew coffee and blueberry scone. I was ready to work on editing our live stream worship service to create an audio version of the Scripture and sermon.
The young woman was sitting at a corner table in the open room. Then her phone rang. She answered it on speakerphone and proceeded to talk in a voice such that all of us could hear both sides of the conversation. What became immediately uncomfortable for me and made me sad was that she was talking about her mental and physical health history with a potential new therapist. She spoke openly and very personally about specific events and conditions in her family in a fairly relaxed manner.
He asked her where she was and she said a coffee shop because it was the only place around where she could get a strong enough signal.
My sadness became prayer as I heard her open her heart and share her history publicly in search of help with a potentially new mental health professional.
My prayer moved into reflection. Do people get a decent signal at church? At our church? Or do they have to keep moving because the signal isn’t strong enough?
I believe we are called to organize and maintain and grow our congregation by receiving God’s signals for connection, compassion, healing, and forgiveness in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. And we are to learn and confess the noise of judgment and condemnation that too often are expressed instead. I care so deeply about hospitality and clear signals of welcome because that is my story of coming to faith in high school. I decided to follow Christ through the hospitality of the Three Oaks United Methodist Church and Pastor Larry Irvine.
Are we set up for good reception here or do our activities and witness block God’s signal? This gives new meaning to the term reception or reception area and prompts the question, How do we improve reception here?
I don’t know what else has happened for that young woman. I pray she has found a connection that is life-giving and supportive in her search for help and health. And I appreciate and renew my commitment to the openness we share to be our best for Greenville and offer a clear signal of love and compassion and grace.