What a church of 3 members can teach us about generosity
What can a tiny congregation of three members teach us about generosity? Lots!
I recently heard a story about a parish church that has only 3 members. This tiny congregation’s building houses a thrift store, the only place in the community where people can buy clothes. That is a significant ministry!
This post has been updated after an email exchange with the The Rt. Rev. Lesley Wheeler-Dame, Bishop, Diocese of Yukon, who reminded me that one can’t trust Google!
She writes:
“St John the Baptist Anglican Church is in Watson Lake, Yukon. There are 3 members who attend services, and one of those is the licensed lay minister in charge of the parish. The ’store’ is run by volunteers from the community and that is coordinated by a member of the congregation.
In the summer when the store is open, they hire a student. Throughout the year it is community/village members who volunteer their time, come in and sort donations, cut rags, do repairs, etc
.”
Photo by Priscilla du Preez on Unsplash
Generosity builds relationships
I am struck by the generous relationships on display in this parish. Being tiny gives this parish a great advantage: they are reliant upon God and they cannot pretend otherwise. I’m certain that prayer sustains them.
The parish is so small that they need to ask their friends and neighbours for help. Volunteers run the store and thrift stores rely on donations. They couldn’t do it themselves and of course, none of us can.
Generosity builds relationships of asking and sharing. Generosity is a spiritual discipline like prayer; we bring our needs to God and we rejoice when God provides. We pray for others and ask others to pray for us. We give and we receive. Both generosity and prayer strengthen relationships. I’m grateful for the generosity on display at this parish church. Beyond being a gift to their community, they are a gift to the larger church.
What gifts does your congregation have to share? What do you pray for? Whom do you pray for? At its joyful best, generosity connects all of these questions.