This blog is contributed by Patty Ayres, member of 6.30pm church, casual sub-titler and keen blogger - see Christian Pears for more stuff.
Hello and welcome to week three of Some Joyful Mentions.
This week I thought I’d chat about work in three ways; those who too much, those who have too little and those who are finding it in unexpected places.
TOO MUCH WORK?
Firstly, those who have too much.
I would like to take a minute to thank all of the people working in the healthcare industry. Thank you to our doctors, nurses, GPs, surgeons, administrators and aged care workers, particularly those who are in our own congregation. When this is over, the world will sing the praises of people who put their own fears aside and donned their personal protection equipment. Your kindness extends beyond the professional.
Thank you also to people who have been helping our church during this time in other ways, like the camera crew and editors who put together our sermons and Jim, Niki and Amy for continuing to write talks. Thank you to Cynthia who still comes into the very empty and cold office. Also thank you to Finn, Elke and the mysterious Koala who have been setting up dances for Kids’ Club! Thanks to the musos who came in before all of this to record songs with spirit that wouldn’t hit souls until weeks later. Thanks to our staff’s hard work, our church has had over 900 views from people not from our congregation. People who don’t have access to church or who don’t usually attend are sitting down to watch our services, praise God.
Thank you to all of the people who work in essential services, and are still heading out on buses or in their cars and facing each day as it comes. There should be no guilt in still having a job, for we are rejoicing with you in your good times. Thank you for your generosity and humility, but it is good that you are grateful and not ashamed that God has allowed that abundance. He is being generous to you, and through that you can be generous to others.
NO WORK?
Next, the people who have no work.
As we rejoice with those who are rejoicing, it is not a contradiction to also be mourning with those who are mourning. Indeed, the Christian life calls us to have the heart to be able to do both, with different people, at the same time. I have heard amazing stories this week of people making the best of opportunities such as getting to know their families and kids better, including some people who have moved back home for the time being. I have also heard crushing stories of people whose cars have decided they need expensive repairs now, rent that needs to be paid and investment properties that aren’t being great investments. It is also not a contradiction to thank God for the strength he has given you and pray for more strength, and courage for the days ahead.
Please take heart in that people are praying for and with you, and hit Jim up if you need a more practical hand.
FINDING WORK?
Finally, the people who are finding work to do.
I was so encouraged to see some mysterious calligrapher had used their talents to decorate our church doors with palm leaves! Mister Ken is making jam to support Tawanda and Shupi (we bought a jar of apricot, and I can vouch for it). Hopefully people have had a chance to check out Fi Morton’s Easter encouragements on Facebook, and Josh Grey is setting up a Thursday Trivia Night!
I praised the camera crew and editors before (shout out to Jordan) but I want to also shout out Andrew McCarthy, who is not a professional and yet has spent hours in the church helping Jim out, even after a particular unsuspecting individual interrupted them in the middle of a take…
I want to thank the people who have found pockets of pain to put their healing to, whether through a kind word, a basket of sago pudding or lending their daschund for a few minutes (Sandy Templeton and many more, I’m sure).
Thank you to those who have picked up roles they didn’t have before, like the two gentlemen who drive these words to people and Heather for starting up prayer online each morning, and a service of calling the elderly.
I hope all these people are okay with me mentioning them by name. I don’t super care if they aren’t. I promised some joyful mentions, and I am almost overwhelmed by the wonders of our church working in the midst of this crisis. We can focus less on the crisis and more on Christ when we work together as a community. So, even if I didn’t mention you by name, thank you for being a part of our community, for praying alongside us and for reading to the end of this blog post.
If you have any good news you want to share, flick me an email at patty.ayres@outlook.com
Good news embracing the poor, comfort for all those who mourn
For the broken hearted, we sing louder
Release from prison and shame, oppression turning to praise
For every captive, sing louder
Restoring sight to the blind, breaking the curse of the night
For all in darkness, sing louder
Proclaiming freedom for all, this is the day of the Lord
Beauty for ashes, let there be light
'Let There Be Light' by Hillsong.