Because it’s what Neighbors do…

To the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy, starting this Sunday we are going to open our facility to the Church of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, in Spanish, el Senor de los Milagros (Lord of Miracles Church).  We will worship at 10 am, they shall worship at noon.

They are worshipping in our church because their church burned down on Monday.  I am not putting out this post to toot our own horn or to seek accolades, but to let you know what we are doing.  Because it is Different from how we usually do things.

I went to the church site on Monday morning, when things were still smoldering.  I found out the pastor was okay, that nobody had been hurt in the church, that the surrounding residences were okay, and I stood there and the question I asked was, “Where are they going to worship next Sunday?”

It is the question that would be first on my lips if something happened to our church that hurt no one.  Of the sixty plus churches in Perth Amboy, the reason we are doing this is because, simply put, “This is what neighbors do.”

I told the Father that he had the use of the facility through the end of 2013-specifically, through Christmas- if he so chose with an offering of whatever they could give.  If they will continue with us into 2014, we will negotiate something more formal.

What I am most proud of is that when I put the question out to our leadership, every one of them said we should proceed.  Not a question of not helping.  This is what neighbors do.

St. Cyril and St. Methodius is on Jacques Street, a block off Hall Ave., near the Schull School.  It is a National Polish Catholic Church, unaffiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.  When I find out more about what that means, I will let you know.  The pastor is of Polish background, reading a Spanish service to his congregation.  In addition to this church, he serves a church in Howell and in Dunellen.  We can expect between 30 and 40 to worship in our church.

At this time, the church does not run other programming, so there will not be a need for more space.  They have a hall that they rent, but because of our church’s rule about no alcohol in the church, we shall not be in a position to host those events.

I do not know what else they are going to need.  They simply have a place to worship this Sunday.  That is the first step.  We’ve never hosted another church in our sanctuary.  We will keep open clear lines of communication to make sure any problems can be dealt with quickly and effectively.

The Chaplain Corps is going to be seeking to organize more help as needed.  I believe we have done something quite wonderful for a sister church.  Please let me know if you have any questions about what we are doing.

We are a Neighborhood in God's Kingdom.