A Community of Churches

Oriental's churches have a lovely relationship. We are all friends, we love to sing together, and we love to worship together. We're not just churches who happen to sit on the same streets; we're happy colleagues in Jesus's kingdom work. 

One shared ministry is the Ladies' Prayer Shawl group each Thursday. Ladies from various denominations (or perhaps no church at all) meet at the Methodist fellowship hall. We knit, crochet, pray, chat, laugh, and support each other. Today's group was particularly large!

 I believe we ended up with fourteen around the table today. We have sent 1614 items in ten years to those grieving, ill, or caring for a loved one.

 We make prayer shawls, lap robes, and little soft bunnies to give to newborn babies.

 The Prayer Shawl ministry receives some donations that buy the yarn we use.

 Each week the finished items are placed on a table. We all stand around it with our hands touching the precious pieces they have made, and we pray for those who will receive them. Sometimes we cry a little.

What amazes me is that the two Methodist ladies who started this ministry could have kept it to their own church, but they didn't. They included us all, and shared the joy!

Another community church event is our rotating Fifth Sunday Sing. This past Sunday night our church hosted it for the fourth time, and it was just as wonderful as the first one, back in 2014. Our choir sang "The Old Rugged Cross," and "Freely, Freely," both requested by church members. Rev. Weaver from the Methodist church gave us a rousing rendition of "Wade in the Water" on his saxophone. The Episcopalians sang sweet familiar songs from our favorite red songbook, and the Free Will Baptist choir had everyone singing along with "In My Heart There Rings a Melody!" 

The crowd moved to the fellowship hall, visiting over cookies and snacks, and many stayed and talked at the tables for nearly an hour. Thank you, dear friends, for the friendliness of our neighborhood, and the unity and love we feel among our churches!