Testimonial given in the Sunday worship service by Sonia Hadley, March 3, 2024.
Good morning, My name is Sonia Hadley and I have been attending this church fairly regularly for almost a year.
I believe that any strong healthy relationship has both give and take. When thinking about why this “give and take” works for me, at this particular church, a long list came to mind.
For those of you old enough to remember David Letterman’s Late Night Top Ten lists, I put my list into his format, the only difference you should be aware of is that David Letterman’s top ten lists were funny and mine -not so much. Here we go.
Why I Give and How I Receive from this Church - Number 10
This giant beautiful church building. The first time I walked in, the building immediately spoke to me. The soaring ceilings, the beautiful stained-glass windows, the large gathering areas. It’s a traditional vibe with understated elegant décor of flowers and candles. I love this space.
Number 9
The rich history of hundreds of years of people gathering here, supporting one another in this place, and our honor and respect for the sacred Native American land this building was built upon.
Number 8
This gorgeous window of Jesus so centrally placed. I am a big fan of Jesus. I believe he makes me a better version of myself almost every day. I prefer to see my friend like this and not as, so often depicted in churches, at his darkest hour. I admire and appreciate this window at every visit.
Number 7
I love the activist nature of this church. service is our prayer – right? There is such obvious faith in action here, faith with hands and feet. I also see practical activism. Charity begins at home as they say. We value taking care of our own substantial obligations, precisely so that we can continue to be a blessing to one another and to a wider community. This is a room full of do-ers!
Number 6
The Community Meals. I grew up in a big Italian family where food was mostly abundant. It is painful for me to think about people not having enough to eat. Our Community Meals serves hot meals downstairs with radical hospitality which inspires joy and appreciation among both our guests and our volunteers.
Number 5
The playfulness in this place, I don’t even remember why we had bubbles floating throughout the sanctuary one day during our closing song, but it was magical. I knew that day, I found the right church.
Number 4
At Christmas time the live nativity scene was so endearing and the Christmas Carol sing-along so fun. I looked at those activities as a delightful throwback to a simpler time in the past, but I realized it was also a testament to a potent present right here, right now, as well as an inspiring future. What a gift at Christmastime!
Number 3
For me, being here on a Sunday always makes for a better week ahead, 100% of the time. It makes me both stronger and gentler, in the way I show up in the rest of my life. I am certain that my friends, my family, and my coworkers would thank you all for that.
Number 2
In my view, Frank is a perfect personification of a true Ambassador for the Divine, of a loving caring God, or whatever you call that really good thing in our Universe. His messages are caring, thoughtful, eloquent, humble and his questions engage us so directly, they draw us in. The messages are miraculously deep and so light and digestible at the same time. Frank is truly extraordinary.
And now the Number 1 reason Why I Give to this Church -
I have never been a part of a church which celebrates differing views on faith, I am not sure I knew such churches existed. What inspires one can trigger another and that is perfectly ok. We are in a safe space, standing shoulder to shoulder cheering one another on just as we are. We learn and grow, despite and because, of our differences. It’s beyond beautiful to behold.
So there you have it folks– my top ten reasons why I give to this church. I hope you also find life-changing grace and beauty in this place, and I hope you will join me in supporting our Stewardship Campaign this month– thank you very much.