…is what brought us all together on Sunday January 17th. The Panthers played the Seattle Seahawks and both teams received cheers, jeers, and prayers. This was our second watch party bringing together First Baptist congregation members and friends from our community. As we have talked about getting to know friends in our community who are currently experiencing homelessness, I am often asked about suggestions for topics of conversation. This Sunday was really easy as everyone talked about the teams, coaches and quarterbacks and their ability to carry their team to victory.
As much as it was easy and fun, there was so much more to it. After the game was over (and the Panthers had won), our friends were taken back to the Interactive Resource Center and the food was put away, I went to the local Hallmark store to buy some birthday cards. The store clerk asked me if I had watched the football game. I could have answered “Yes” and headed out the door, but instead, I took the time to explain to her that my church had opened its doors to our community friends for Worship, Chili and to watch the football game together. Her first response was a puzzled look and then she said “how cool.” I then found my spirit agreeing “yes, very cool.” I am excited to be a part of a faith community that is willing to meet people where they are and break cornbread together. We gathered around a rather large screen with strangers who are becoming friends. It would have been way easier to have either watched the football game at the IRC and at our home with the company of people we know well, but where is the adventure in that idea. I hope the Carolina Panthers continue to win and am even more hopeful that we will continue to forge friendships.
Kim Priddy, Associate Pastor of Missions
Thank you, Kim, for organizing the “Panther Play-off Party”, but more for inspiring our community of faith to endeavor to get to know our community friends on a more personal level. Susan and I both went home quite tired, but both realized what a “good” tired feeling it was – a day of prep and a day of serving but a heart full of pride in our congregation for opening the doors at FBC to those who may hunger physically, but yet feed our spirits starving to know and share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear Church and Kim, particularly,I have been telling people about your and FBC’s efforts to benefit our outdoor friends.I am blessed to be part of such a congregation. Judyth
From: fbcgso To: judythwhite@yahoo.com Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 3:47 PM Subject: [New post] Cheering on the Carolina Panthers… #yiv6523362983 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv6523362983 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv6523362983 a.yiv6523362983primaryactionlink:link, #yiv6523362983 a.yiv6523362983primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv6523362983 a.yiv6523362983primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv6523362983 a.yiv6523362983primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv6523362983 WordPress.com | fbcgso posted: “…is what brought us all together on Sunday January 17th. The Panthers played the Seattle Seahawks and both teams received cheers, jeers, and prayers. This was our second watch party bringing together First Baptist congregation members and friends from o” | |
A wonderful spirit prevails at FBC for as Judyth White calls our outdoor friends.Our thanks to FBC staff and members for such a spirit.