(Each Saturday, a faith leader offers a personal perspective in this space. To become part of this series, email religion@recorder.com)
Many of us are familiar with William Shakespeare’s quote, “All the world’s a stage,” from “As You Like It,” as I get us to consider how “All the world’s a pulpit.” We live in a world where fewer and fewer people are choosing to be part of an organized faith community and while that can be discouraging to those of us who are leading churches or synagogues, statistics have revealed that it does not mean that there are fewer spiritually connected folks around us.
Those within the church, like myself, often bemoan that more people don’t come to worship more often and don’t speak about their faith openly or frequently. And while this may be true, perhaps we are looking too closely at church demographics and not closely enough at all the good that does happen in the world. How many people in your circle have done something kind recently? Has anyone held a door open for you as you’ve walked into or out of a store? Have you heard a story about someone helping another out perhaps by delivering a meal or picking up something for another? Has another driver stopped and given you a chance to merge into a lane ahead of them when there is construction?
This past week, a neighbor of my father’s and now friend of mine came walking down the road with a rain jacket on and a little bag thrown over her shoulder with a pole sticking out. Curious, I asked what she was up to and turns out that after every rainstorm she walks down to the nearby pond and scoops up turtles in a little net and helps them safely across the road, as rain seems to encourage them to attempt this.
Two weeks ago, a friend I hadn’t seen in over a year drove up to New Hampshire for two days to help me tackle a project.
Three months ago, my best friend committed to spending two additional months away from her family so she could help me move my father to assisted living and clean out his home.
A year ago, our church stopped meeting in person and instead of curling up on our couches to wait out the pandemic, individuals kept coming up with new ways to serve the community. We didn’t cancel our community dinners — we converted them to drive-thru meals. We didn’t stop checking on each other — we started calling on one another when we couldn’t get together.
Many spiritual moments occur every day in each of our lives and, if we are looking for them, sometimes we recognize the spirit of God moving in and among us. There is much kindness in the world, and much goodness and love, and I believe that all love comes from God and I see God show up all over the place!
You see, spreading God’s love does not only happen inside the four walls of a church building. In fact, if we are truly being the people of God, we are sharing God’s love every day in small and large ways out in the world. Attending a faith community is a great way to recharge our enthusiasm to be good and to do good in the world, and it should be the catalyst for our action once we leave worship, and not the only place we think about our faith.
All the world’s a pulpit. That doesn’t mean you need to be standing on a street corner proselytizing, but it does mean that every action you take and the very way you move through the world should make your faith evident. Who you are as a child of God is a wonderful and loving being who has so much to give to another. For some of you, that may mean large gifts or acts of kindness; for others, it may mean a gentle smile as you pass a stranger on the street, or it may even mean simply that you restrain from retorting in anger when you are upset and instead try to calmly reach a compromise.
All the world’s a pulpit, so go out and let your faith shine!
Athol Congregational Church, UCC is a local community of faith that is “small enough to know you, large enough to serve.” We are currently offering creative “on location” online messages, available under the “sermon” link at atholcongregationalucc.org, and these are not your typical “in the sanctuary” recorded services. Our pastor and our members are available for conversation in our Athol Congregational Church Facebook group, and through private messages, and we would love to connect. We offer long-distance Reiki through our certified practitioners, are willing to pray with you whatever your need, and want to know you, whoever you are.
1225 Chestnut St., Athol. 978-249-6202. The Rev. Dr. Candi Ashenden, Senior Pastor