You know the expression, “He’s my brother from another mother.” or “She’s my sister from another mister."? It’s a way of saying you may not be blood kin, but you are such deep friends that kinship is the best description you have. Sunday morning someone came to fetch me because some men had come from Jim Street Christian Church for Sunday school. I had no idea what was going on but was very glad to greet them. They told me their pastor, Glen Sherwood, was on his way. Then Pastor Sherwood, his gorgeous wife, Jasmyn, and another lady with a little girl arrived. The women were welcomed into our ladies’ class, the 6 men in Pastor Kerry’s, and the little girl joined me in the room we use for young children’s Sunday school. I had a wonderful time sharing our Sunday school story with the 6 children who were here and trusted the hospitality of our Sunday school classes to help our visitors know they were welcomed. After Sunday school, Pastor Sherwood and the Jim St. folks shared the beginning of worship with us. They gathered at the front of the church, introduced themselves, and presented us with a lovely plaque. It was a complete surprise. Then it got even better! Our Jim Street friends went on to their church for the 11 am service. Deacon Chandler, however, stayed behind to share his own black gospel version of Blessed Assurance. He sang it a cappella and it was fabulous!!! I have put a clip of the video down below. The presence of our guests, their delight in being here, their interest in us and their desire to honor and acknowledge our support of their ministry was a complete, joyous surprise and it just lifted our whole worship service! Our worship styles and life experiences may be different but we are, in fact, brothers and sisters from other mothers who ultimately share the same God on High. God loves us and invites us in all our diversity into the Body of Christ to become reconciled and reconciling people. In this time of intense racial trouble in so many places in the United States, it is a deep honor to be part of the movement of wholeness that characterizes the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in fellowship with Jim Street’s Disciples. May God bless our growing relationship with Jim Street so that we come to know each other for the kindred spirits we really are!
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Rev. Marcia HageeShe graduated from Duke University and the University of Missouri-Columbia studying Psychology and Religion. She earned her M. Div at Phillips Theological Seminary and was ordained by the Oklahoma Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Archives
June 2018
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