You are God's rock and Christ's church

For those of you who were at Palmer today, thank you for your hugs, positive feedback and support. For those of you who weren't, the text of my remarks on trust is below.

The miracle I want to talk to you about today is how this community has saved – and daily saves -- my life. It isn’t so much that Palmer keeps my life together, as that Palmer keeps ME together when my life is not.

Most recently, at the end of January 2009, I found my self without a job, without income, and without insurance. I have a gifted teenaged son, a car with 204,000 miles on it, and two lovable mutts I had rescued from a sure and untimely end. I don’t have an involved ex-husband, a local extended family, or resources beyond my own self-support. I am a typical single parent of our time, and I was frightened.

So I came here. I came to Palmer. I showed up for the first day of the Wednesday noon Bible study because I could. After the class I ran into Gay Stricklin and offered my time – the only gift I had to give – to help her in the office.

Before many weeks had gone by I was on the team revamping the website and working on other communications pieces critical to bringing Palmer’s vision to life. I found that there were things I could do that were helpful to our corporate mission, to our staff, and to our loyal and hardworking volunteers. I could serve, and in doing so I could make a difference.

The word for today is trust, and what my story describes is, no matter how far down the ladder we go, no matter how bleak the landscape appears, we all can be lifted into the light, and we do that for each other. It is surely not a coincidence that since I came to Palmer, I have experienced some of the most turbulent years of my life; God brought me here before he brought me to my knees, so that I would have a community to fall back on in the hardest moments.

At Palmer I am surrounded by people who love me, who say thank you, who are happy to see me enter a room, who seek my contribution to their projects, who appreciate my gifts and say so.

Because of that, I enter any conversation with a potential employer with confidence, enthusiasm, and a sense of purpose. Those among you who are unemployed, or who live with someone who is, know how easy it is to give in to despair from the relentless rejection that comes with job-hunting. This community reminds me every day that I have talents and worth, which shields me from that awful darkness. Every time I am lifted up in love and prayer by the people of Palmer, this Psalm becomes my fervent, personal belief:

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
My God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2

You people are God’s rock and Christ’s church. Your prayers, your ministry, your hugs and your generous love are larger than any demon in the wee hours of my nights. Because of you, through you, and with you, I trust.

Thank you.

Great Choirs for Great Causes

GREAT CHOIRS FOR GREAT CAUSES This year evensongs and special services will
highlight a service ministry at Palmer and/or in Houston - to both
celebrate its efforts and to learn more. In the spirit of service,
donations of needed items will be collected at the service .

Evensong Sunday September 20, 5:00 pm
Our first evensong will highlight the Refugee Ministry at Palmer and
Interfaith Ministries' Refugee Services. A reception will follow in
Fellowship Hall, including a video about Palmer's collaboration with
Interfaith Ministries. Please attend and bring a donation of family size
toiletries (toothbrush/paste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, laundry detergent,
dish liquid or paper products). Twin sheet sets, and bath linens are also
welcome. Furniture items can be arranged through Linda Shelton at
lshelton@palmerchurch.org. Invite friends to a wonderful service and pique
their interest in what Houston and Palmer are doing to "to welcome
strangers" from many different lands.

Do you make a fantastic international hors d'oeuvres?

We'd love to enjoy your global recipes following Evensong at a Reception
Sunday September 20, 6:00 pm, celebrating the Refugee Ministry. We can open
our hearts, minds and palates to taste the riches of many different
cultures. To offer your culinary or serving skills, contact Courtney
Daniell-Knapp at 713-328-0778 or cdknapp@palmerchurch.org.