Sunday, October 27, was a great day at Wightman United Methodist Church. We held two worship services, we had people joining our church, we celebrated a baptism, we held our church’s annual charge conference, we had over 20 people serving or attending Emmaus Walk, an intense spiritual weekend, and we enjoyed kicking off our first week of UpWard Flag Football. Sunday represented the very best of Wightman.
Following our church’s charge conference, I walked across the road to see the kids playing UpWard football. It has been a long journey transforming the Langford Property and building Mike Mills field. In that experience too we have seen the very best of Wightman. I noted to more than one person what I enjoyed best about the football game. I did not hear one person (spectator, parent or coach) direct a critical comment towards one of the kids. The game was about supporting the kids and participating in their joy.
In the world today we hear a lot of voices. Some are critical, many are “agenda driven,” and some are constant annoyances (can you say robocalls?!). I would guess that many of us would like to experience what those kids experienced on the football field Sunday—voices of encouragement, people yelling for us rather than at us. Perhaps what happened Sunday can be an agent of change for all of us.
The holiday season is coming up. Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be a time of celebration, but psychologists tell us that for many people it is the most stressful time of the year. Perhaps we can change that. Perhaps by making a conscious decision to encourage and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11), it might begin to catch on and make a difference in our community and in the lives of others. It might also represent the best of who we are as Wightman Church.
Here’s to a season of encouragement,
~Pastor Brian