An Outsider Walking In
Posted on Aug 22, 2019 by
By now, you have probably read the letter from Council listing all the happenings at Salem since Jan. 1. I started as office administrator in December 2018, and it’s been a fun learning the office admin duties (big shout-out and thank you to Kathy K.) and being a small part of the exciting new directions.
But as of yet, I haven’t attended a Sunday worship. I want to go. I think about going every Sunday morning, but yet I haven’t. I wasn’t sure why until about a week ago.
I grew up in another denomination that has a lot in common with the Lutheran faith. Whenever I walk into a church of my childhood faith, I see statues and candles and I always feel the presence of God. When I walk into Salem, I always love the warm and inviting feel of the sanctuary, but I never really felt God’s presence. That is, until last week. I was standing in the sanctuary and a thought popped into my head that here at Salem, God is present when the people are present. It was a quick thought, but it’s stayed with me. So, maybe it’s not about the statues and the candles. Maybe it’s “For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) That verse hadn’t meant very much to me until that moment.
From what I have experienced at Salem, that verse makes so much sense. I’ve felt God’s presence sitting in a staff meeting, helping at Pantry Pack, watching everyone come together to plan a 4th of July event, or rallying around someone who is sick. I know that can be said at a lot of churches, but this outsider can feel the positive energy at Salem. I hope you can, too. Are we perfect? No. Are we capable of doing great things in the year to come? Absolutely!
Mikki Lawrence
Office Administrator