Current state of affairs at LMC

Check out this page for updates from the office and from congregation members!

Current Happenings:

• Our 2022 Congregational Watchword is Isaiah 12:3 ~ “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

• Lancaster Moravian Church is a member congregation of the Parish Resource Center! This means that we are able to attend their workshops and events for free or at a discounted rate. We also have access to their library and their meeting rooms. If you are interested in any of their upcoming events be sure to note that you are part of a member congregation when enrolling.

W’s  Story

He came through the line to get food.  We exchanged pleasantries and smiles, even though behind the masks it is hard to see the smile, I know it is there.  His name is W.  One of the community outreach workers was at the distribution visiting, and she asked me with a note of surprise if he talks to me. She said, he does not engage with her.  I told her I knew his name and a few small bits of his story.  It is amazing how folks open up after some consistent connections. Being greeted each week by a friendly face goes a long way to building trust.

 One day at the distribution, W. asked if he could talk to me.  He told me that he had a job interview, but the only shoes that he had were the ones on his feet, and those were not suitable for a job interview.  I looked down and saw his worn and beat up white sneakers.  It would be hard for them not to be noticed in a job interview.  He asked if we had any shoes.  I told him that we did not, but I asked him what size he needed.  He said a twelve or bigger.  Translated that means, “I wear a twelve, but I will take whatever you can give me and make it work as long as I can get it on my feet.”  I told him to come back the next day and I would have a pair of shoes for him for his interview.  He said, “if possible, could they be dark sneakers, or something that would also be appropriate for me to wear to work if I get the job.” The next day, he picked up a brand-new pair of dark sneakers, and promised to let us know how the interview went.

A few days later he came back and told us he had gotten the job, but he did not have the right clothes to wear. Could we help him with some pants? Donna went out that day and picked up a few new pair of pants to get him through a work week.  He was extremely appreciative.  When I’d see him over the next couple weeks, I’d ask him how the job was going, and he’d smile and say it was going well.

 On Friday, I was in the lobby talking with a woman who had come to see me. W. walked confidently toward the door, but upon seeing me in the lobby with someone else, he stopped short.  He put down his bag and reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.  He held it up to the glass so I could see what it was. He used his other hand to point emphatically to it. He was beaming from ear to ear.  I took a step closer and realized it was his paycheck.  He came to show us that he had received his first paycheck.  I smiled, gave a thumbs up and waved at him.  The next day, when he came for food, Donna and I congratulated him and thanked him for sharing that good news with us.  As I pen this, I have a vision of those Mastercard commercials. One pair of shoes for a job interview, $15.00. Three pair of pants to get through a work week, $40.  Knowing you helped empower a person to get a job that will allow them to better their life, priceless.

Here at LMC we help dozens of folks in a variety of ways, meals, toiletries, bus passes, prayers, listening ears, utility assistance, referrals for other services, occasionally clothes, and other things.  We often ask folks to keep us posted on how things end up for them. Sometimes they do, most often they do not and that is OK.  We do not give to receive; we give because God has called us to give of what we have been given.  But like the ten lepers who are healed, sometimes one turns back and says thank you, and lets us know the impact that our being here has made on their lives.

 I am grateful for W., for his courage to ask for help.  I am grateful for the gifts of this congregation and community that allow us to have the resources to be able to help in these ways.  And I am grateful to know that W. is blessed by the job that he now has.  What a joy it is to connect with our neighbors in this and so many ways!

 Love and blessings!

Pastor Mandy