Post 35
Heartwarming Endings (2012) and
Beginnings (2013)
A story
that began in early December and continued to develop through New Year’s is one
of those that merits being shared … yet again.
It all started when the Tuesday Open GA/Gam-Anon Meeting that meets
weekly at Mt. Tabor
United Methodist
Church (SE
Indiana, Greater Cincinnati Area) discussed whether or not to meet
on Tuesday, December 25 and Tuesday, January 1.
I’ll
continue what happened – and developed - with the wording of an e-mail I sent
to my Bishop of the Indiana Conference, Bishop Michael Coyner. Good news is always welcome and those in
church leadership, especially enjoy and appreciate receiving heartwarming
updates ...
Here’s the
story italicized in bold!
… In late November,
the Gamblers Anonymous/Gam-Anon Meeting that meets on Tuesdays weekly (at the
Gambling Recovery Ministries Office and Resource Center at Mt. Tabor UMC)
discussed whether or not they should meet on Christmas Day and New Years Day -
both, of course, falling on Tuesdays. They readily answered their own
question with YES! …
[The GA
“Yellow Book” notes: attend as many meetings as you can: meetings make it! So
no matter the holiday, faithful meeting attendance is recommended for continued
recovery. Moreover, estrangement within
families can, sadly, happen; and holidays can be very lonely times. Thus
meetings provide support and help to ease the pain.]
So the following
Sunday, at Mt. Tabor's Worship Service, during
Announcement Time, I included - just as a mention - that the GA/Gam-Anon
Meetings will continue through the holidays.
Well, immediately after the Service, I was approached with the offer that the Church provide some sort of refreshment for BOTH meetings. I was to ask the GA/Gam-Anon members if they would like something to eat during their Christmas and New Year's Meetings. The Tuesday Meeting folks were very surprised and pleased ... and replied that anything would be fine with them.
Truly, the Tuesday folks (and I) were quite touched. Others were going out of their way - particularly during a most calendar-filled time of the year - to provide something special for them ... AND this "something special" was done "to encourage them in their recovery"!
Now … this story has grown …
[Dinner is
ready!]
The latest news from Mt. Tabor
is that the "bit of refreshments" has grown to a meat-and-cheese tray … snack items, a variety of cold drinks, a
dessert tray, and the coffee pot ready to plug in and perk! And the Mt. Tabor
folks are very pleased and happy to be doing this to affirm others ...
[Furthermore, the New Year’s Day Meeting found hot, steaming homemade chili, hot dogs, shredded cheese, buns, snacks, a huge array of pastries and dessert items, cold drinks, and the coffee pot ready to brew. Once again, the GA Gam-Anon folks felt blessed with very special support and encouragement … that go far beyond the bountiful, wonderful feasts they had received on Christmas Day and New Year’s!]
[Furthermore, the New Year’s Day Meeting found hot, steaming homemade chili, hot dogs, shredded cheese, buns, snacks, a huge array of pastries and dessert items, cold drinks, and the coffee pot ready to brew. Once again, the GA Gam-Anon folks felt blessed with very special support and encouragement … that go far beyond the bountiful, wonderful feasts they had received on Christmas Day and New Year’s!]
……………
I received
a quick response of thanks from Bishop Mike - as he noted - to a heart-warming story on a cold and snowy
day. As we enter 2013, may this true-life
story of hospitality and kindness provide encouragement to all - those in
recovery and those reaching out to bring help and hope to
the hurting.
Blessings,
Janet Jacobs
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Founding Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Janet Jacobs
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Founding Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
