By the time we were in kindergarten, most of us had learned to share. Or at least we had learned that we were supposed to share; when it came to actually sharing, some of us had to be forced. I was one of these. And I had to be forced to share because relinquishing anything to which I felt attached did not come naturally to me. What came most naturally to me was hoarding the things I liked. Toys, candy, plenty of elbow room in the sandbox, and the undivided attention of my best friends-to share these things, it seemed to me, was to lose these things, or at least to lose my control of these things. Precocious in every way, I was a fully-developed control freak at the age of four.

 

I am very proud to say that I have since dramatically matured. Instead of childishly hoarding things like squirt guns and tricycles, I now jealously guard my time. Instead of hiding my candy, I hide my money. Instead of fending off intruders in the sandbox, I now artfully avoid the people who intrude upon my personal space, especially those who tax my patience.

 

Why? Because to share these things is to lose these things, or at least to lose control of them.

 

As many of you know, we have been sharing our buildings with another congregation since 2008. Agape Apostolic Church of Deliverance pays us a modest rent, and cleans our buildings each week, in exchange for the use of our facilities. Last winter, with the blessing of our vestry, I renewed our relationship with Agape, and with their pastor, Elder David Camp, redefined our relationship as that of partners in mission.

 

That redefinition, along with many friendships that have spontaneously formed between members of Agape and members of St. John's, is beginning to bear good fruit in the lives of both congregations. One visible token of this is that Agape Church and St. John's chapter of the Order of the Daughters of the King now share the ministry of our Food Pantry.

 

Relocated to the larger closet just inside the handicapped entrance by the gym, the DOK-Agape food pantry is a place where things are shared. It's a place where two congregations share space. It's a place where two congregations share responsibility. It's a place where the one holy catholic and apostolic Church in Troy shares food with the hungry. It's a place where Christians share their faith with each other and with others.

 

The food pantry, now named the Shepherd's Storehouse, is a place where many things are shared. Which is to say that the food pantry is a place where we lose a certain amount of control. Which is to say that the food pantry is a place where Christians grow in their faith.

 

If we want to see where God is leading St. John's, then we look to see what God is growing at St. John's. Visit the Shepherd's Storehouse and see what is growing in our midst.

Fr. Steve 

 

THRIFT SHOP NEWS! 

 

The Thrift Shop is very busy this time of year, changing for summer to winter clothing. This year we took all our left over summer clothing and donated them to Jezreel in Albany. This means we have none for next year so I hope that means we will all clean out our closets. Unfortunately we had to dispose of quite a bit of children's winter clothing because of mildew, so if anyone feels the need to clean out the kids closets now would be the time.
 

I would like to say thank you to all who stepped up and filled in for the summer schedule. It was much appreciated. 

Sue Palmer