Reflections
Last week, as we began a new conversation with Davidson Elementary about a tutoring program, I was telling the story about the beginning of the Leap Frog after school tutoring program in my first years in Oxford, and the disaster it turned into the first semester. I concluded that rather despairing reflection of that first year with these painful words: “What happens to us when our deepest hope and vision hangs on a cross?”
And now the rest of the story:
These moments must be taken seriously. There are times when the cross becomes our deepest reality. But there is something more. Enslaved people, even in their worst moments, would say to each other, “God will provide a way out of no way.” God will bring hope out of despair. God will bring life out of death. God will take a broken body and blood poured out of a pierced side and use these instruments of failure to be the healing and salvation of the world.
We limped through that next semester-Germaine and Rico seemed to battle daily-but we tried to stay open to what God was saying in theses disappointments- about our limits and our gifts.
We changed our focus slightly and discovered resources unnoticed before that failure.
The story is too long to tell here, but that after school tutoring and mentor program eventually grew to touch 150 students a year at four sites in Oxford and Lafayette County, and is now incorporated into the curriculum of the Oxford School District.
Through the years I often wondered to myself what became of those first children we worked with. The answer is, except for two of them, I really don’t know. I moved away from Oxford and lost touch years ago. I did watch Rico play in the State Basketball Championship in Jackson. After the game he left a group of sports reporters to give me a big hug. I heard that Germaine had ended up in jail, but the details were very fuzzy.
Shortly after we moved back to Oxford I was walking on the Square and heard a quizzical voice, “Mr. Duncan?” I turned and it was Rico. He told me where he was working, that he was in the process of getting married and all kinds of other details that filled my heart to overflowing.
How am I to measure the success of Leap Frog? Germaine or Rico, or of the hundreds we never heard from again? How do we measure success, or am I asking the right question?
In his Introduction to one of his books Jonathan Kozol writes-
“This is a book about the games[people play] and stories[they tell], and their silliness and sorrows, and the many intricate and sometimes elegant theologies they manage to create in order to invite into their lives the mysteries that make them brave.”
I would like to believe that we, too, can be part of those little mysteries of faith and hope and love that can make very vulnerable children brave. It’s an act of faith that takes us on this journey, because we will never really know.
But one thing I believe with all my heart: No act of love is ever lost. It is gathered into the heart of God. That is more than we could ever ask.
Other Matters of Importance:
Baptism and Confirmation- Rosemary Harrison will be baptized and Annaliese Coughlin will be confirmed this Sunday, July 28 in a special worship service. A reception will follow in the Salt and Light Building. Entree and drinks will be provided, and members of the congregation are invited to bring salads, sides or desserts.
Funeral of The Rev. Sammy Townes: Sunday, July 28@ 2:00pm-
The funeral will be at the Mt. Moriah Baptist Association building in Coffeeville. Because of the emerging relationship with Spring Hill North M.B. Church, several members of Nativity will be going to the funeral after our reception on Sunday.
Directions: Travel south on Highway 7. At the blinking light at the Coffeeville exit (Highway 330) turn right. The Association building will be a short way down the highway.
Nativity Lemonade Servers Needed at Watermelon Carnival August 3-
Over the past few years Nativity has offered to Carnival goers a cool drink of lemonade and a cool place to rest. This year, like last, we will serve the lemonade from the Salt and Light building in conjunction with the book sale being conducted at S and L by the Friends of the Library. We need volunteers to serve lemonade in one or two hour shifts (9:00-4::00). Sign up sheets are in the rear of the church.
Consecration of the Right Reverend Dr. Dorothy Sanders Wells-
Last Saturday we ordained and consecrated our new bishop in an exciting and moving ceremony at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland. Bishop Wells has already scheduled her first official visit to Nativity for Sunday, February 23, 2025. Mark your calendars now!
Church Directory Nears Completion: Photos Requested-
Jenni Campbell has worked long and hard to give Nativity its first church directory. To give the directory a special flair we are asking for photos of our membership. Robbie Fisher will be taking photos over the next few weeks after church. See Robbie for details.
See you Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Duncan
(601)260-1937
Comments