If you need me – or any of our members, especially our Church Council members – to stop being “productive” and start being compassionate, from now on, all you have to do is tell me or text me, “Charles, I need 40 seconds.” And I will do the same with many of you when I need a moment of compassion for myself. Why? Because life happens and we ALL need to hear and feel God’s love.

Yes, the “business operations” of our church are important. But we, each one of us, are more important than any activity, event, decoration, song, or well-researched Sunday message. We, all of us, ARE the organic, living, “Body of Christ,” the love of God made real to ourselves and to each other. Compassion is what holds us together in the Kingdom of God. And compassion is how we, working together as a selfless, coordinated team will transform individuals, families, and organizations throughout our community.