August 2024 Letter

BEing KIND seems to be catching on across Seneca and Wyandot County.  In fact, we’ve even had to order more BE KIND signs to keep up with the demand because folks from outside of our parish want to be a part of what we are doing to help spread KINDNESS in communities far beyond the boundaries of our parish.  While putting a sign in your yard may not seem like it could make a big difference, just knowing that people are being kind is changing the environment around us.  Because while the news cycle may be trying to divide us during this divisive political season, we, as Christians, have this unique opportunity to show others how to do the very things that Jesus called us to do: turn the other cheek, love our neighbor as our selves, as well as taking care of others in all the ways that we have been called to do so (see Matthew 25:31-46 for some of Christ’s ideas).

As I type this column to submit it by the deadline today, folks in the Five Points Parish are preparing to sell our BE KIND t-shirts at the Farmer’s Market for the next two weekends, as well as at our upcoming Ice Cream Social at Sycamore and Rummage Sale at Melmore.  Again, it may be tempting to see that as something small, but Pastor Charlene and I can tell you that all of these seemingly “small” actions that we are committing as a parish are starting to have quite a big ripple in our community. 

In fact, it has become increasingly difficult for us to go anywhere without running into someone who knows us because we are at the Farmer’s Market, or knows us because they have seen our signs, or knows us because they have received a Little Jesus from someone, or knows us because one of their kids, grandkids, or great grandkids attended one of our VBSes or Kids for Christ, or Community on Stage.

And the more they folks in our community know who we are, the more we have an opportunity to show and tell them what Christ has done for us.  The more they see us in our community serving others, the more chance there will be that they will want to come alongside of us and help serve others.  The more they see us being kind to others, the more likely they will start being kind too.  As we know, attitude is contagious. So, let us, instead of showing the world more of what it already sees, demonstrate to others the love, joy, peace, patience, KINDNESS, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) that our Savior has shown to us.

So, display your signs, your decals, and wear your shirts.  And more importantly, take it one step further and show everyone who Jesus is by demonstrating that kindness to others in big and small ways.  Because kindness really does make a difference.  It changes the very tone of the atmosphere around us.  It reminds people that they are not alone in this world.  And, it gives people who are struggling hope that tomorrow might be a better day than today.

-Pastor Amy