Our thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the Peterson House, Saturday, April 14, to prepare the house for sale. The day was the first in a series of "Work Days" to be scheduled twice a month--one Saturday and one Monday, from 9 am to Noon. 

The Progress: Anne Bouchard got an early start and scrubbed the refrigerator in the Peterson House mid week. Then Ann McLaughlin was on full attack Saturday, cleaning behind the kitchen stove. Jane Shelton and Jan Marchese, along with Susannah, Kate and Will Lesswing were seen up to their elbows cleaning everything in sight including the basement. Bob Kaska was up and down those basement steps hauling trash to the dumpster, while Wally Setlock removed stickers from the bedroom walls. Both Gary Estes and Wally painted a bedroom. And Kathleen and Bob Kaska took control over the garden-gone-wild along the south side of the yard.

Jan Marchese and Karen Hanson also pulled a few weeds and deadheaded roses in the Church garden. So if you had your head down and we missed you, we apologize for omitting your good deed. We do appreciate everything that was done!

"Work Days" are not just for the Peterson House. We will spruce up our church both inside and out, so bring your favorite gardening/shop tools, chain saw, or cleaning supplies to help for as long as you can. Even a half an hour of helpful hands will be appreciated! 

Next Work Day: 

Monday, May 21 - 9 am to Noon 

Contacts: 

Facilities Ministry Chair 

Peter Gatsch, 630.587.0840, gatsch2@aol.com

Gardening Angels & Handy Devils

Kathleen S. Kaska, 630.443.9670, ksk@kaskadesign.com

I once read an account that happened in the early days of aeronautics. A plane landed at the airport in Kobar, India, in order to refuel. As the plane was being checked a large rat detected the smell of food on the plane and somehow managed to climb aboard. After the plane was airborne again the pilot heard the sickening sound of gnawing somewhere behind him. His first reaction was that some wire might be short-circuited and the plane would be an impending disaster. What could he do? As the pilot tried to calm himself the gnawing continued. Then on an impulse he reflected that a rat is not made for high altitudes. So the pilot determined to soar higher and higher. Finally he reached an altitude where his own breathing was severely impaired. He listened and to his great delight the gnawing sound had ceased. When the plane landed at its destination the rat was found dead in back of the cockpit.

A new climate spelled doom for the rat. The rat could not survive in this atmosphere of a higher level.

The climate change has played a huge role in the whole history of the animal kingdom. Remember the pictures of pre-historic monsters? The dinosaurs seemed like animals that only a nightmare could create. We are well aware of the fact that the climate changed and they died. They could not adjust to the new atmospheric conditions and so they faded out of the picture, not by direct attack, but by the slow process of new weather.

Now maybe there is a lesson for us to be learned today. There are ominous realities that threaten world peace and the Christian faith.

If dinosaurs became extinct by climate change, maybe climate change is needed in our Faith spirit. Approaches to hatred, prejudice, close-mindedness, separation, and rejection might well be handled with a new climate of love and acceptance of persons.

Scripture has something to say about this in Romans 12:21. "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good." Okay, that is it. We battle evil with the climate of goodness. The Quakers had a motto: "It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."

This means in a practical way the Church of Jesus Christ is not merely concerned about rooting out weeds; it is more concerned about planting flowers. We must believe the best way to fight evil is to serve the Lord. To do that we must love the Lord with all our heart, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself.

During springtime we get the itch to start working on our gardens. Some people have a lot of obnoxious weeds with which to contend. Well, it is sort of a losing battle. But you can fight it by simply planting more good. Accepting people for who they are and building a climate of love that affirms others rather than to cut them off. We are called to endeavor to develop a spirit of warmth, happiness and cooperation in the family circle and then slowly together begin to warm up in this new climate. The hardness and indifference begin to soften and the home or church starts to pulsate with a new life.

So let's lay aside our pea-shooters which haven't been very effective and pick up the Gospel, which is the power of God to change the climate so good can thrive, and together we can be open to each other and affirm the goodwill that we find. Let us change the climate from hatred to goodness.

Have a beautiful Spring! 

Rev. Ron W. Purser   lhchome@aol.com