Kindred spirits: Mail brings news and inspiration

Little glimpses of heaven arrive — by the hundreds — in our mailbox each week.

The Christian Chronicle receives church bulletins from across the nation — so many that we can’t possibly read them all.

But when we have a moment, we love opening up these treasure chests of news and inspiration from our brothers and sisters all over America and even the world. 

We see the orders of worship, the prayer lists, the wedding announcements, the missionary reports, the names of those serving in the military, the attendance and contribution figures, the reminders to bring change for the local children’s home … and we feel a kindred spirit with congregations large and small, far and wide.

Via our mailbox, we enjoy a few laughs.

We chuckle at an article titled “No Streakers in Church” (hint: put on the full armor of God) from the Canyon View Church of Christ in San Diego and at one-liners such as this from the Arnold Church of Christ in Missouri: “If God is your co-pilot, you need to trade seats.”

Via our mailbox, we enjoy a few admonitions.

“Who will you worship Sunday?” asks the bulletin of the West Garriott Road Church of Christ in Enid, Okla. “The god of Ease? … The god of Mammon? … The god of Popularity? … The god of Pleasure? … The god of Popularity? … The god of Pleasure? … The god of Self-Pride? … The God of Heaven?”

Via our mailbox, we learn that the “Senior Saint of the Month” at the Cedars Church of Christ in Wilmington, Del., is Mary Weir.

We learn about the dedication of a Texas Historical Marker at the Pleasanton Church of Christ in Texas, whose roots go back 150-plus years.

We learn about a new car maintenance ministry, for retirees and single mothers, at the South Yukon Church of Christ in Oklahoma. 

The little glimpses of heaven that arrive in our mailbox are printed on white paper and on blue, green, purple, yellow and even bright pink paper — yes, we’re talking about you, Alma School Road Church of Christ in Chandler, Ariz.

Katherine Cooper, wife of minister Dan Cooper, produces The Proclaimer, the weekly full-color newsletter of the Pitman Church of Christ in Sewell, N.J.

It’s filled with pictures of weddings, babies and graduates, details on fellowship activities and, frequently, kind mentions of articles in the Chronicle.

What’s not to love about that?

Via our mailbox, we read about young families from the Mary Ellen and Harvester Church of Christ in Pampa, Texas, going to visit a corn maze in Amarillo and think that sounds like fun.

We read the “Bear Work Day Report” from the Yorktown Road Church of Christ in Logansport, Ind., and wish we could see a picture of the 148 bears made by 11 church ladies and young girls.

We read about “Greg’s Intense Chili (not for the faint of heart)” at the chili supper of the Fishinger and Kenny Roads Church of Christ in Columbus, Ohio, and wonder if we’d be man (or woman) enough to try it.

But we’re certain of this: The roast turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy served at a recent Wednesday night meal of the Manchester Church of Christ in New Hampshire sound exceptionally appetizing. Invite your Chronicle friends next time, OK?

Via our mailbox, we catch up with “Coy’s Corner” from Coy Hathcock of the Westwood Church of Christ in McMinnville, Tenn., “Nathan’s Notes” from Nathan Jorgenson of the Mount Comfort Church of Christ in Fayetteville, Ark. and “Patrick’s Points” from Patrick Odum of the Northwest Church of Christ in Chicago.

We see references to a “TWO42 group” at the Oregon City Church of Christ in Oregon, to a “Hobo Supper” by the Robinson and Center Church of Christ in Conway, Ark., to “Pew Packers” at the Bostonia Church of Christ in El Cajon, Calif., and to “Teen F.A.S.T.” at the Starkville Church of Christ in Mississippi. 

We’re not exactly sure what all those terms mean, but we know that “SWAP” is an acronym for the “Sisters With A Purpose” who worship with the Great Falls Church of Christ in Montana.

Alas, it’s the digital age, and many churches have stopped mailing bulletins because of printing and postage costs.

Most news tips reach us these days by e-mail, Facebook and Google alerts. We report breaking news immediately on the Chronicle website, often days and weeks before our monthly print edition arrives at your home or church. 

Still, we savor the little glimpses of heaven that arrive in our mailbox each week.