The LORD of hosts is with us; *
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Psalm 46:4
Last week, while at St. Agnes’ House, I received a call from a social worker. A mother of a newborn baby and the grandmother needed a place to stay. We had one room available, but it had a bad odor, which we had not been able to remove from the room. I told the social worker, the two women were welcome to come and see what they thought.
Sasha, the mother walked gingerly up the front stairs and on to the porch of the house. She was about 30 with dark hair. She had had a C-Section only three days before, so walking up stairs was a challenge. Betty, her mother was in her early 50s with strawcolored, shoulder length hair. Both women looked tired. We went to the lovely room with the odor and the odor was gone! The women were so excited to see the facilities at St. Agnes’ House. You see, they had slept in the hospital garage the night before. They were willing to take anything that meant a more comfortable night.
Now, when a little baby is in the the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), you not only need to go every 2-3 hours to feed the baby and be with the baby, but you also can have other calls if a problem arises. These two women took advantage of a free shuttle to the medical center because they do not have the money for the parking garage, but one day they received a call that they needed to be at the hospital right away — the baby was having problems breathing. They took their car, but not having the money to park, they thought they found a free space. They hurried up to the NICU and made sure the baby was okay. When they returned to the parking spot, their car had been towed! It would cost $124 to get the car out of the impound lot.
There was nothing that could be done. Where they parked the car was a large corporation, so the employees, I’m sure tired of people using the lot, had done what they were told and towed the car. There was no warning placed on the women’s car and the signs saying you weren’t supposed to park in those spots were hidden and easily missed. And with the car in the impound lot a couple of miles away, there was nothing that could be done. The employee on duty at the towing company had no authorization to release the car without payment.
Imagine… Your newborn baby is taken 100 miles away from you. Of course you find some way to drive and be with your baby. Of course you will even sleep in the parking garage on frigid, cold nights. You’re in a strange town, much larger than where you came from. Everything costs more and you don’t have the support system or networks you do at home. You are truly at the mercy of strangers. And many are unwilling to show you that mercy…. You cannot find the owners of the businesses and the workers are just trying to do a good job.
Through my discretionary funds from my ordinations, I was able to pay the $124 to get the women their car. I plan to write to the owners of the businesses and ask them to make a contribution to St. Agnes’ House or find some way to support people who are strangers to Lexington and come here to save their very lives or the lives of a dear, loved one. I pray for justice and mercy and the alleviation of poverty.
And I cling to this Psalm always: The Lord of Hosts is With us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
Blessings as you finish your week….
Rebecca
Rebecca’s Schedule
Next week, I will be away from Sunday evening until Saturday. If you have a pastoral care emergency, please call The Rev. Marcia Hunter at 859-269-0209 or on Wednesday call her at 606-678-4262.
Pot Luck Sunday
This Sunday is our pot luck. Bring a dish to share if you are able. Join us for fellowship!
Adult Forum
This Sunday we end our series on Radical Welcome. Rebecca will lead the session on looking to the future. Sunday, December 1, there will be no Adult Forum.
Godly Play classes are available for children. Elmer Parlier and Donna Goff will be trained soon to assist. Training involves serving as the doorkeeper for two sessions and then being supervised as the storyteller for two sessions. Once you are trained, a schedule will be created that fits your ability to assist. If you can assist, please let Anne Day and Dura Anne know.
This Week at St. John’s
- Wednesday, November 27 – No Service·
- Thursday, November 28 – No Service
- 2-4pm – Thanksgiving Dinner at the Barn
- Sunday, December 1
o 11am – Eucharist – 1st Sunday of Advent
o 3:00pm – Make an Advent Wreath
o 4:30pm – Advent Lessons and Carols
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. Those who participate in UTO discover that thankfulness leads to generosity. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.
Your UTO offerings are collected twice each year. Each time you feel thankful during your day, put some change into your box. We will gather these gifts of gratitude in May and begin again for the November offering.
Thanksgiving Dinner November 28, at the Barn, 2-4pm. A free Thanksgiving dinner will be held at the Barn. Turkey, Ham, rolls, drinks, pies, mashed potatoes and corn will be provided. If you’d like to bring a side dish, that would be terrific. See June Sullivan for additional information.
Prepare for the Coming of Christ. On Sunday afternoon, December 1, we will gather at 3pm to make Advent wreaths for our homes. We will then participate in the evening service of Advent Lessons and Carols at 4:30pm.
ECW Chocolate Fest, Saturday, December 7, 9am- 3pm. Plan now to attend this annual holiday event. Today, November 24, we will dip candy after the pot luck.
Hymn Selection Group If you’d like to choose hymns for services, join this group. You will choose hymns for an upcoming service and then meet with the entire group to confirm the final selections. See Billy Hibbitts if you are interested.
Would you like to write Prayers of the People? If you are interested in writing these prayers (there are resources that can help with this task), please let Rebecca know by phone or email priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Are you interested in assisting with the Sunday service? Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Crucifers, Altar Guild Members and choir members are all important for each Sunday service. If you’re interested in serving, please let Rebecca know by phone 859-429-1659 or priest-in-charge@stjohnscorbin.org.
Serving Our Neighbors – See baskets in the parlor.
- Everlasting Arms, Corbin’s shelter for people who are homeless is in need of men’s razors, deodorant and socks.
- The Food Pantry at Corbin Presbyterian Church is always in need of nonperishable food items. Vegetables are especially appreciated.
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