Why I Drive an Hour and a Half to Church (c)

Sunday morning, and I have my
breakfast of tea and cantalope,
then scope
the forecast for the weather.
I don't know whether
I should venture go or stay,
but hey,
my Sundays are not complete without church.

I don't know many folks

who drive an hour and a half to church

but really -- what difference does it make?

I take

my time...
being certain that the oil in the car
is topped up.
Then I have another cup
of green tea,
taking one cup for the road.

I leave behind names like

Bailey,

Spring Hope,
Red Oak,
Battleboro...
as I listen to Leo Keottke
playing on the car stereo.

and eventually find

myself on the way to Durham.
 God, thank you for this day.

I take
a right
as a tape of
my son plays
from 25 years ago...
"Mama, can I please go play on the slide?"
"You know there's not much pollution here."
"Power Rangers!"
"Let's sing Bingo!"
"There was a man who had a dog,
and Bingo was his name o,
B-i-n-g-o-...."
(repeat three times.)

Just then I turn onto 177...

almost heaven...
almost there,
a commitment to share --
truly a great day to be alive
and to come to church.

Stephen is greeter
smiles all around--
hugs abound,
life couldn't be sweeter
there are no strangers here.

On the third of November
 I remember
how the fall colors pop.
I stop
worrying
about selling my house,
or surgery...
or what's for dinner.

Today, the third of November,
I remember
other Sundays
like the one when
the Emmanuel Youth Choir
sang
"Mr. Jesus,
rain down on me."
And the sermon that day--
"Don't make it harder than
it has to be."
I remember what Amanda had to say.
"God, let me be singing
at the end of the day."

What is Durham Presbyterian Church?
 According to Franklin, "We are a small group of people
loving each other fiercely....
telling God the truth of who we are...
Finding God in pain and suffering.
It's in the places of suffering
and fear that
we find joy."
  One morning,
as Franklin preached,
Jesus came down
to Durham Presbyterian Church
and walked amongst us.
The air warmed and
we felt the peace,
transformed by the moment.

This morning, Angie is back!
The choir's going to sing.
And what shall I bring?
Maybe a tambourine?
Jenna is here.
Jordan too.
Peace be to you, and to you.
Tiffany,
Justin,
Brian,
Jared,
Fran,
prayers for Pakistan...

for the people--
Anna's ministry,
Justin's brother,
Tomi's mother

Scott and Liz may be moving to Idaho.
Megan goes back to school soon,
Carlos is in a New York hospital.

Durham Presbyterian Church

reaches out,

to one another,

to the community,

to me.

The minister said,

"If there is a church that does not reach out to the marginalized,

then that place is not a church."

This Church

has created a bridge to understanding

and hope.
Right here,
in Durham, North Carolina.

"Life of the Spirit"

"The life of the Spirit is 

a life of action.

Spirituality is performance,

not belief."

I read this meditation today from my daily meditation book and was reminded of the church I attend, 

the Durham Presbyterian Church.  This church actively gives service in the community of Durham, 

and beyond.  For example, last week there was a combined service with the Hispanic congregation,  

followed by a potluck lunch.  

One of the members gives support to her living community of young adults with developmental 

disabilities.  Another member is engaged in a project in South Africa.  I am proud to be part of a church with such dynamic commitments.

Durham Presbyterian Church

     I had my third visit to Durham Presbyterian Church today.  What a wonderful place!  I've never experienced anything like it.
     While the church looks traditional from the outside with its white columns and steeple, the inside is anything but traditional.  The pews have been removed, replaced with comfortable, upholstered chairs that can be moved around.  There is no alter, pulpit, or baptismal font.   Elegant, modern wall hangings with Christian symbols grace several windows.
     There is no choir loft or choir.  However, a gifted musician, Angie, leads the congregation in songs of praise.  Her beautiful voice resonates above everyone else as she accompanies herself on an electric piano.  Some of the songs are traditional, like "Blessed Assurance," (my mother's favorite hymn), while others are drawn from more modern sources.  Rather than hymnals, the congregation usually sings from words that are projected on the wall, an innovative and delightful departure from holding a hymnal.
     Visitors to the church never meet a stranger.  The friendly, welcoming atmosphere of this church keeps me coming back.
     After church this morning, Stephen and I shared what we like best about Durham Presbyterian.  For example, the way that prayers for the people are handled is very special.  Amanda, Ace, or Franklin, write down prayer requests from the congregation, then offers them up with the refrain, "Lord, hear our prayer."  Sensing the openness and trust in this part of the service moved me to tears.  We could definitely feel the Holy Spirit moving at Durham Presbyterian this morning.  Stephen and I agreed that one of the most special qualities of the place is that there is no where to hide.  Such openness allows us to witness the hurt and suffering of our fellows.  This is very touching and poignant.
     I wrote down the names this morning of people to pray for, and will pray for them during the week.  I feel that this church has set a new standard for out-reach with this loving tradition of recording prayers.  It it so much more personal than hearing names called out from the back of the congregation.
     One of the most enjoyable aspects of this church are all the children.  Little Davis Golden came up to the front and hugged his dad during the call to worship this morning.  And Amanda held her baby while giving the benediction at the close of the service.
     I hope this church will grow and prosper and become a major force in the spiritual life of Durham.