Divine Community

As we rush about our busy lives it is easy to miss seeing the Lord at work. Many wonder if the church still has a place in the modern world, and congregations ponder how the church can help people see God in their lives. A few weeks ago, our congregation was given an opportunity to answer these questions.

St. James Presbyterian in Hanwell, N.B., is a small church in a rural community of 4,300 on the outskirts of Fredericton. Given the limited community infrastructure, our church is often a gathering place.
A few months ago we rented our hall to the Friends of Priestman Street School for a community breakfast in support of Priestman’s breakfast program. About 300 people were expected. Never having rented our kitchen to a community organization before, we saw an opportunity to expand our engagement in mission and community development. We charged a minimal rental fee, offered to help with set – up and promised to bring our appetites.

Just days before the breakfast, on Monday, March 10, a nine – year – old Priestman Street student, Garrett, died from a sudden cardiac event while walking to school. Garrett’s family and all who knew him were shaken to the core. All wrestled with grief and questions of, “Why?” Parents and teachers struggled to explain such a sudden and tragic death to their children.

But in the midst of this grief came an outpouring of love and grace from the community. Strangers, friends and family united in a desire to comfort one another.

The school decided the proceeds from their community breakfast would be given to Garrett’s family to help with their financial needs. We dropped the rental fee and recruited more volunteers. The 2nd Hanwell Scouting group, which is sponsored by our church, offered to help, and local businesses generously donated supplies.

Organizing an event like this takes many skills and resources in the best of circumstances. Our small church had never served more than 250 and the school was now expecting up to 1,000 people. They had much on their plate dealing with grief and limited experience organizing community breakfasts, so we increased our efforts to help with planning and logistics. And, like the story of the loaves and the fishes, the Lord provided on that Saturday morning.

Community and the Divine entwined to inject hope, love and security into the lives of Garrett’s family and those who mourned. Our parking lot was full and the highway was lined with cars. The line – up for breakfast extended through our narthex and into the sanctuary, weaving in and around the rows of chairs. All gave generously and waited patiently and the volunteers worked tirelessly. That morning, 900 people, both young and old, from all over the Fredericton area graced the doors of St. James and went away fully fed—physically, emotionally and spiritually. And in the end, $17,500 was raised for Garrett’s family.
As one of our youth said: “It was good for community to get together.”

Amidst this outpouring of support, the school’s breakfast program was not forgotten. During worship the next day, our children saw an opportunity to help the breakfast program. In just an hour, they raised $220.

The tragic death of a young boy brought unexplainable sadness to our community, but what transpired in the days that followed reminds us that God is engaged with His creation, seeking to comfort, renew and bring healing and wholeness where there is brokenness and despair. God meets us in our place of need and brings us together to help one another.

As we at St. James seek to grow as a community of faith, we find ourselves considering our role as community developers. God used this event to open our eyes to new ways. He may use us again to bring about healing and, even in the seemingly routine congregational activities, we can be used as a wellspring of compassion and grace for others.