We gather before the burned-out building
our aged container of our times
together in prayer, sermon, song
both in joy and in sorrow.
We have gathered here for years,
over generations, taught our children,
shared hot-cross buns, coffee, tea,
shed tears as a praying congregation
lighting a candle for the sick, the bereaved,
given thanks together.
We are a singing congregation,
we love the organ’s melodies;
we stand to sing the Hallelujah Chorus
filling the rafters with praise.
Though the holes in the floor gape
though the hallways smell of smoke
though the pews are pushed askew,
the church is the energy of its people
the spirit of God lifting us up,
the house of God.
We will walk from our building
to a new gathering place
and when the time is ripe,
we will return in song, celebrate new beginnings
and the joy of being together.
We are the church.
FEWalls March 31, 2016
(My little church in Ballard burned on Tuesday, March 29, 2016.)
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