Christian Charity - Celebration Testimonial

A JOYFUL CELEBRATION

By Janis McKenna

On Sunday, March 30, 2008, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church will again host a dinner for Bridge Ministries. Bridge Ministries is an organization who cares for those with disabilities. There are dinners held each month throughout the year in churches of the greater Seattle area.

For two years I volunteered as table hostess for the dinner. My first year as a volunteer, I felt some anxiety about being a hostess not knowing what to expect from the guests. Would I be able to see beyond their disabilities and simply see them as a fellow human beings? Yes, it was possible. In fact I saw more than I expected. It was a kind of joy on the part of the guests that went far beyond any expectations of mine.

Volunteers arrive an hour before the event begins. We are gathered together in a private room by one of the leaders of Bridge Ministries. She gave us much information about how we could be good hosts to our guests. Much of it I have forgotten, but the main topic was simply to enjoy the evening with our guests.

The second year was a real eye opener because I wasn’t concerned about myself, but looking forward to being a part of a “A JOYFUL CELEBRATION”. It certainly was one. Many Access Vans and cars were arriving. Some of them arrived as much as an hour before the time of the dinner. The laughter of those arriving could not be stilled. Their joy was infectious. Many of the guests only see one another at the dinners; so there were happy reunions. The wheel chairs with their occupants were rolling from the vans into the church. Others were literally dancing into it. Hugs were exchanged. Conversation was at full blast.

There had been much preparation for the whole event. A lovely dinner was served to our guests. Before dinner a large tree with bare branches had been drawn on paper. Each guest and host placed their handprint on the branches like leaves with their name on the print. There was music for singing. Anyone who chose to could sing the song at the microphone. Lots of hands went up to be next the one to entertain the audience. Each person was fantastic; a joy to see and to hear.

To finish this article there are two quotes. The first one is from an article, “Managing Attitudes Towards Defective Newborns” by the Reverend Charles McConnell. “Abnormal children teach us that all people are precious and as deserving of love as any other human being. An abnormal child is a seed sower, sowing seeds of love, tolerance, and understanding in the lives of those closest to him. He is one who keeps nurturing these qualities day after day.”
Second quote is from Isaiah 62:3 . “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the LORD, as a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”