| Greetings POJ family! Let me let you in on a fact about the POJ: it has a ton of interstate highways! This week I found myself heading south on I-95 to I-85, on my way to our southernmost point, South Hill, Virginia. Virginia is my home state, and South Hill is one of those places I had driven by while “inter-stating” somewhere else, never wondering, “What’s in South Hill?” At least now, “I know in part.” South Hill Presbyterian Church has a wonderful, spacious campus woven into the life of the congregation and community. After parking, the first thing I saw was their Blessing Box. Unseen people stock it; unseen people are supported by it. All of the time. Inside, their pastor graciously showed me around: a welcoming vestibule, wide hallways, classrooms, fellowship hall. Much of this ample space hosts outside community groups. South Hill also offers a community garden and a rainwater collection apparatus, built to reuse rainwater (see photos below). I learned South Hill was renewed as a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregation, which in part asks its membership to improve upon their stewardship of the earth. Their garden and water projects testify to this. When it came time to worship, the sanctuary’s open feel and brightness set the tone for an uplifting experience where both organ and piano were featured in this typical service format. I saw good lay leadership alongside their pastor. I took a spot about two-thirds back and could see my fellow worshipers paying attention and participating! I now expect to be welcomed in the congregations I visit, and South Hill delivered. This was the Sunday South Hill collected their Hunger Offering in a way I’d never seen: red plastic cups folks fill up, then younger members retrieve them. When the general offering is brought forth and the Prayer of Dedication is presented, each cup is emptied into a large galvanized tub! The echoes of coins hitting metal reminded me that even our smallest offerings sing praises to God! (Gregory Memorial has a fun way of doing this too, which I’ve shared before.) My takeaway after many conversations is that the church is active with and open to the community. Their facility is used by outside organizations, and many volunteer actively in South Hill. I now know this faith family is truly a vital part of the community where they are. Going northeast on I-85 that day was more pleasant than my drive southwest — not because I was “heading home,” but possibly had found a place I could call home should my faith journey take that direction. Till my next trip out to see you all, |
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| Kerry |
