Moment for Reflection

Moment for Reflection – Pilar Wellansky

This church has been my home for 28 years. I raised my children here and they knew, when they were here, that they could go to any adult and be greeted with love and kindness. The high schoolers who were active when they were young, like Amy Williams and Skyler Mosenthal, taught them in Sunday School and were great role models. My children also have great memories of playing with the children who they grew up with in this church.

It probably sounds strange to some to think of their church as their family, but when you have people who have been in your life for almost 30 years through the best and worst times, it kind of feels like family. 

One of the first things that drew me to this church was the warmth of the community and the genuine faith of the people we met. I didn’t grow up religious but I was open to trying church. I more or less believed in God, but I was a little squeamish regarding the idea of Jesus. Before coming to this church, I had only really heard people talk about Jesus as if he was judgmental. So, when my husband Mark and I decided to consider going to church, I decided to do an experiment. Whenever we visited a church, I would substitute the word love for Jesus because if the pastor could talk about Jesus as love, I could feel comfortable going there. We tried about 10 different churches and this church was the only one where I truly felt the love of Jesus in the sermon.

The sermons pulled me in, but the congregants, who embodied love and acceptance, kept me here. I truly felt that they loved their neighbors. We were welcomed by everyone in this church. And Mark and I saw, and got involved in, many of the mission opportunities here.

We also saw that, although not everyone held the same views on politics or social issues as we did, they didn’t feel the need to argue over these things. They would actually engage in discussions about opinions that were different. We all had good will toward each other through our faith. We were, and still are brothers and sisters in Christ.

Over the years, I have expressed my stewardship in many ways. There was some financial stewardship, but I was not always in the position to donate much. So, I was a deacon, an elder on session, a choir member, went on mission trips including ASP, lead Bible study and taught at vacation bible school, started an annual Thanksgiving dinner, organized barbecues and dinners and many other events.

I am not saying these things to boast or seem important. I am definitely no more important than any of the other wonderful members here. I am just pointing out how many ways there are to be a steward of this church. We are all either the hands, feet, eyes, mouth or other parts of the body of Christ.

So, give financially if you can. That money will go to running the church building, paying the staff, repairing things, mission projects and many, many more things. But also remember that stewardship is defined as the careful and responsible management, protection, and oversight of something entrusted to one's care. If you value what you get through this church from the pastor, the music and/or the community, please think about what gifts you bring to the table and think about sharing them.