to the front pew sitters
the back pew sitters
those scattered about but yet you always know exactly where they’ll be, sitters
thank you
to the early arrivers
those right on time
and all the rest of us
thank you
to the hand raisers
the amen sayers
and the ones unafraid to sing off pitch
thank you
to the parking lot traffic directors
the front door greeters
and those i count on for a friendly smile
thank you
to Orestes
Carmen, Herbert, Julio
and anyone else who helps to prepare coffee before the service
(a huge) thank you
to the power point makers
the bulletin printers
the hander outers
thank you
to the sound board runners
the music planners
the singers, the drummer, and the instrument players
thank you
to the announcement makers
the psalm readers
and the reflection and prayer leaders
thank you
to the offering takers
the faithful and cheerful givers
the counters, the budgeters, and decision makers
thank you
to the preacher
those are huge shoes to stand in
on top of everything else that life calls you to
so thank you
to the baby holders
the sunday school children molders
those working the spaces farthest away from the spotlight,
thank you
to whomever makes that magical list of refreshment providers
the crock pot bean dip bringers
the sliced watermelon suppliers, the PriceMart donut and sweet bread buyers
thank you
to the tree house builders
the rope swing pushers
and the church librarian
thank you
to those departing sometime soon
those not going anywhere
those still giving up their own lives to make those of others so much better
thank you
to the small group leaders
the youth group overseer
the home openers, the meal sharers, and the ride givers
thank you
to the elders
and all those willing to lend an ear
my darkest secrets have never felt so safe,
and forgiven
so thank you
to you whom i call friends
to you whom i have still yet to meet
these are the moments where we realize how wonderful eternity will be
so thank you
what i have learned over the last three and some years,
is that church is not just a building
and that love is not simply measured in our outward expressions,
rather a church is a family of unsung heroes
about whom god says i will cause them to love in ways that cannot be found anywhere else on the planet
and love, is like space that we make inside ourselves for others to fit inside
along with all their imperfections
thank you for making so much space inside yourselves for me here at Union Church
you are the flame to my wicks
and I am 10,000 fireworks
aglow like the Salvadoran new year
i have so much reason to look forward to heaven,
god willing i’ll surely see you before
but if not, we’ll meet there
you can find me an the heavenly refreshment table
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