FROM PASTOR SUSANNAH’S DESK

Growing up and living in the South, I have learned that being hospitable to others is extremely important.  Essentially, there is no such thing as a “stranger” in Southern culture.  We wave to people that we pass on the street, we help out a neighbor in need, we value the sense of community.

While we Southerners take pride in our hospitality, we, as Christians, are also called to show hospitality in our lives and our relationships with others.  In Luke 9:47, Jesus says, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me.”  For Christians, there, too, is no such thing as a “stranger”; we are called to be hospitable to all. 

But what exactly does hospitality entail?  In a nutshell, I would define Christian hospitality as helping to make Christ’s presence known in a situation.  It involves becoming an instrument of God, so that, through our thoughts and actions, others may know and see God’s love and goodness.  It involves loving as Christ loves, caring for others as Christ cares, reaching out to everyone just as Christ reaches out to all.

Christian hospitality does not have to come in the form of a grand gesture, nor does it involve possessing extraordinary skills or an abundant amount of resources.  In Matthew 25, Jesus says that furthering God’s Kingdom here on earth involves “everyday” things such as welcoming strangers, providing those in need with food and clothing, taking care of the sick, and visiting those in prison.  Everyone can and is called to practice Christian hospitality in our daily activities.  Each one of us can help to make Christ’s presence known in all situations!

Our church family has created the “Feed My Flock” food drive to provide items for the Green Hill Presbyterian Church food pantry.  I want to thank you for your participation in this missions and hospitality project.  At the time I am writing this article, the food drive has been going on for less than two weeks; thus far, we have received over 200 items!  Through this project, we are able to show hospitality to our brothers and sisters in need in the community.  Within the first two days of beginning this project, two families in desperate need of food came to our office.  One of the families was an elderly couple who did not have any form of transportation and was unable to walk great distances; our church family was able to welcome them and give them some of the food that we had collected.  Another woman came to our office after the food pantry had closed, and she did not have any food for supper;

again, through your generous hearts and hospitality, we were able to provide her with food for supper.

Your participation truly makes a difference in meeting the great hunger needs of our community and is a wonderful way that we can practice Christian hospitality in our daily activities.  I want to encourage each of you to prayerfully consider the ways that you can contribute to this project and/or other ways that we can exhibit Christian hospitality in our interactions with others.   

I feel blessed to be part of such a hospitable church family that seeks to make Christ’s presence known in our community!

Susannah