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Parable Inspires Ecological Evangelism
At last spring’s meeting of New Castle Presbytery, the Mission Development Unit surprised each congregation with a gift of $100. They explained that it represented 100 talents, as in the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25:14-30. Each congregation was to reflect on the parable and find a way to invest or multiply its talents faithfully.
At the September meeting of Session, an elder raised the question of what we should do with our talents. As part of the discussion, Anne Ledbetter mentioned that she would like to use the money to buy energy-saving light bulbs and take them to the neighbors around the church, explaining that we have become an Earth Care Congregation. Following the session meeting, Dick Haden and Sue Linderman, chairs of our Joint Mission Committee, decided that they would add 100 talents from both the Urban Mission and the Church in the World Committees, increasing our talents to $300. They contacted Anne, suggesting that she mobilize the Membership and Evangelism Committee, Earth Care Team, Deacons, and Mission Committee members to launch this ecological evangelism project.
Facilities Manager Jerry Reed worked his magic and purchased 200 CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs online. Deacons and other volunteers repackaged the CFL bulbs for delivery. Nicole Hughes, director of communications, designed a simple card that was tied to each bulb. Finally, volunteers from all the aforementioned groups went forth on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, November 19 and 20, to meet our neighbors and give them a gift.
What will our talents project reap? Friendly encounters with our neighbors, lower energy usage and electric bills for many area residents, a boost in our public relations, greater visibility for Westminster and our commitment to Earth Care, and maybe, just maybe, some new visitors or even members in the year to come. Moreover, Presbyterians can learn what fun it can be to spread the love, justice, and peace of Christ!
