Tonight I taught our Stephen Ministry trainess at St. Paul's. (Stephen Ministry is a wonderful system for training and supervising lay pastoral caregivers.) The evening's work included an assignment of giving each other affirmations -- saying something to each other person in the group that you appreciate about them or wish to thank them for. All of the affirmations and the giving and receiving were beautiful to be a part of, but here's my favorite part.
One of our wise elders/preachers/prophets, a woman in her mid-70s, addressed this affirmation to a relatively new member, a young man, convert from the LDS faith, who has come to his vibrant spirituality through many trials and tribulations and is, shall we say, street-smart:
"When I'm in a nursing home, I want you to bring me the Eucharist."
The young man wept a bit at that one -- as who wouldn't?
Maybe every church group should have to do this same exercise on a regular basis. It certainly builds community!
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