“More and more, the desire grows in me to simply walk around, greet people, enter into homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice the simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be a part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets.
It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them but truly love them.”
|
First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
The Mission Statement of The First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton Inspired by our heritage, and challenged by our faith, we
confidently know that God will unfold the future before us. We seek to let the
light of Jesus Christ illumine that future through ministries of worship,
preaching, education and outreach to our community and the world. |