When I was leading the young adult ministry at our church, I tried to convince all the 20-somethings to sit together in the front pews to provide good visibility for other young guests at worship. One 25-year-old man, who always dressed like he just stepped out of Brooks Brothers, quietly pulled me aside and explained that there was an elderly gentleman in the back row whom he looked forward to sitting next to each Sunday. “Would it be ok if I kept sitting with him on the back pew?”
Father Henri Nouwen, a renowned spiritual leader wrote:
The word “generosity” includes the term “gen” which we also find in the words “gender,” “generation,” and “generativity.” This term, from the Latin genus and the Greek genos, refers to our being of one kind. Generosity is a giving that comes from the knowledge of that intimate bond.
My 25-year-old friend was committed to the church and its well-being. Because of that commitment, he had met a gentleman who had become for him like a substitute grandfather. They were from different generations and lived completely different kinds of days, but they realized in the light of God’s sanctuary that they were of one kind. They were the same “gen.”
I love what Father Nouwen teaches about the connection between the word GENerosity and GENus. Our oldest son relishes the memory of making new friends while hiking in Colorado at Christian Community Camp. Our daughter treasures the moment she walked down the aisle in the sanctuary to say “I do” as Glen Miles officiated at her wedding. Our 30-year-old Nashville son has several congregational members on speed dial as they continue to mentor him in his budding career. Dave and I both recall the undeserved grace of hot meals delivered to our home post-cancer surgery. Our hearts are interwoven with yours, and we feel the life-giving generativity and generosity of this amazing congregation.
We want that holy bond to continue for the next generation of seekers. Of course, there is always more that we could do to mirror God’s beauty and goodness in this world. We may never hit the mark completely; the church is a work in progress. Father Nouwen says, “Generosity creates the family it believes in.”
Grace and Peace,
Carla
