Dear Friends of Longview Chapel,
One of the books I enjoy is Song of the Bird by Anthony de Mello. It has many stories and parables in it that help to stretch my mind and my heart.
One story is about a man who was looking for a good church to attend. The man happened to enter one congregation when the preacher and congregation were reading from their prayer book. They were saying, “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.” The man dropped into a seat and sighed with relief as he said to himself, “Thank goodness, I found my crowd at last.”
One of the great things about imperfection is the mercy, understanding and forgiveness we often receive from those (also imperfect) people who know and love us well. May we welcome and include each other as God has so graciously loved, welcomed and included each of us.
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Romans 15:7 (ESV)
Pastor Donna