Tidings

Be Serving

Be Serving

by Rev. Neal Avirett, Associate Pastor

At any given meal, there are serving spoons. These spoons are larger than table spoons and oval in shape to pick up more food per scoop. They have a long handle to accommodate reaching various types of food, including vegetables and cut up fruit, and to portion out salads. And they’re different than a slotted spoon that simply separates the meat or vegetables from its juices, which if were were eating collard greens, is the best part. We call those juices the pot liquor. This is where all the flavors meet.

In Acts 6, when the church realized that widows were being overlooked in ministry, leaders began to use a slotted spoon to separate “the ministry of the word from waiting tables.” This began a separation of duties between leaders and laity. I believe I’ve always felt called to be both. I am a serving spoon.

It’s difficult to say good-bye to the pastorate and Trinity United Methodist Church. I’m so thankful for the sacred trust and opportunity to serve you, your families, and each and every person who arrived at Trinity responding to the grace of God at work in their life. I’m also excited to begin work with Big Bend Hospice, where I believe God’s gifts in me for pastoral care and community service will be exercised in a fulfilling way.

Thank you all for loving me and my family over these short three years, and the enormous privilege of serving as your associate pastor.

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