There was a lot more than art and music on display at the October 9 fundraiser hosted by St. Paul’s on behalf of Family Promise and Friendship House. While it remains to be seen just how much money was actually raised toward alleviating homelessness for individuals and families in the Skagit Vally, the music, food, and art auction event clearly spoke to some attributes that define our little congregation’s sense of ministry.
1) We are a people who practice hospitality. The logistics of staging the Festive Music and Art Benefit for the Homeless required a lot of folks in our congregation to roll up their sleeves and “get ‘er done.” And in true St. Paul’s fashion, they rose joyously to the occasion in putting our best foot forward in welcoming the community into our house.
Getting ready for the big event!
2) Music is an important element of our ministry. It turns out that St. Paul’s is not only a wonderful acoustic venue for musical performances, but we also have within our immediate and extended church family a lot of very talented people, starting with our music director and choir, and extending to children and grandchildren of congregation members. The breadth and depth of the talent on display on October 9 was truly impressive, and a joy to experience.
3) We hold one another up in celebration. Speaking of music, I can’t attend a service at St. Paul’s without being reminded of James Taylor’s song, “You’ve Got a Friend.” We have some extraordinarily good hearted and talented people who we call our brothers and sisters in Christ, and our fundraiser was a wonderful opportunity to recognize them. Robin Stacy Richardson’s art is a case in point, but all the “behind the scenes” efforts by so many different folks in our congregation were every bit as valuable in making our fundraiser a success. Take a bow, people of St. Paul’s!
Robin Stacy Richardson’s heavily textured oil abstracts were an auction centerpiece.
4) God is messing with us. If I may be so bold as to quote our beloved priest, Helen McPeak, our October 9 event gave us a glimpse not only of who we are, but what we can be with God’s grace. Imagine a St. Paul’s whose mission continues to reach out into our community through music, art, the congregation of Iglesia de la Resurrección, and a passion for social justice? That’s some powerful juju, my friends — and we witnessed the Spirit moving amongst us the other night in music, art, friendship, and elbow grease.
The Lord has set the table for us. Let’s eat!
They say that pride comes before a fall, but I think a certain amount of pride is in order after an event like last Friday's. After all, pride and humility are not mutually exclusive when we dwell on their origin in God’s grace. Well done, people of St. Paul’s!
The children of La Iglesia de la Resurrección perform a traditional dance. Can you find Francisco?