Wanna Change the World?

Ever want to change the world? Yah. Me too.  I remember the first time was when I was around twelve and I was next door at my uncle’s house.  My mother had just left, heading back to our house next door and several of her sisters and brothers were still in the room.  They were complaining about her and talking like she hadn’t just been with them.  They were griping about how bossy she was, how she was in everyone’s business, yada yada… Now, hear me out.  My mother was and still is today extremely bossy and she surely was in everyone’s business, but she had to be.  Both her mom and dad died early and she was the oldest of six, three of which hadn’t graduated high school yet.  She took them all in (along with the three of her own) and helped to get them on their feet.  Yes. She was in everyone’s business, but only because she loved them deeply. 

So back to the story:  They are all complaining and I am amazed and confused all at the same time.  Right then, out of my then quiet, shy and unassuming mouth, came a barrage of concerns.  “How can you stand here and talk about her like she wasn’t just in the room?  How can you complain about all she does when you all know she loves you and works her butt off to raise you?  I thought you were family?  I thought she was your sister?  And why would you do it with me still in the room?  I am her daughter.  I know she’s not perfect but she is still pretty darn incredible….[sigh]” and with no more air to push through my lungs, I walked out the door and marched across the yard to go home, as well.

I remember wanting the world to be different.  I remember wanting family to act like family and neighbors to actually be neighbors.  I suppose today that God placed that desire in my little heart way back then for a day like today.  This weekend is something us Methodists call “Change the World” Weekend.  It’s an opportunity to refocus, re-center, and get back to basics… one small act of love to another.  The hope is, it will not end up being just one weekend, but a way of life.  Surely it has been, at Concord United Methodist Church, as they continue to reach out to neighbors, friends, and even strangers.  So why don’t you join us?  We’d love to have you and your family. 

We’ll be meeting at the church (119 S. Main St., Concord) at 10 am for a brief time of worship.  Our band will start with a couple of songs, those who are members will have a moment to share their tithes and offerings, and we’ll say a prayer thanking God for all he has already done for each of us.  And then we’ll head out for what we at CUMC call our “Work-ship Sunday!”  By 10:20 am, we’ll be out washing windows of some of our local businesses downtown, picking up litter all along our roadsides, raking leaves for some of our widows down Main Street, washing cars for some passerbys, knitting and crocheting some prayer shawls and stuffed animals, changing oil for those who can’t afford to get it changed on their own, and planting flowers around town to add a little beauty. 

It will be a great way to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ while changing the world, all at the same time.  Everyone is welcome: Jew or Greek, male or female, young or old, Methodist or Presbyterian, believer or nonbeliever.  We are all one as family members of the same humanity, sharing the same earth to form our communities.  So come at 10 or feel free to pop in at 10:20 as the work begins.  We’ll all return to the Fellowship Hall at 12 noon for a free lunch prepared by even more neighbors.  During lunch an awesome young man by the name of Neil Sauter will be sharing with us how he is changing the world while walking on stilts across Michigan to raise money for Cerebral Palsy.  Did I mention Neil has CP?  Yah.  Changing the world. 

We’ll have you out the door by 12:30, so what do you say? Can we change the world together? For the sake of all? Wear your grubs and bring a rake or trash bag or knitting needle along with you.  It can be different… one small act of love to another.