Last Sunday as I arrived at the church at 7:35 a.m. I beheld an unusual sight. The parking lot was speckled with several cars and vans and I could see people walking through the courtyard towards the sanctuary. On any other Sunday the regular, faithful 8:00 a.m. congregation of 12 to 15 people have the amazing ability to time their arrival so that they are walking into the church at approximately 7:59 a.m. or even a little later. However this morning we were honored to have residents of Pivot Ministries join us for worship at both services. St. Matthew's has supported the work at Pivot for many years and it is one of the agencies that our Outreach Committee sponsors.
I could feel a different kind of energy as soon as I entered the building. At least forty men were already seated in the pews waiting for the service to begin. A few of them were setting up sound equipment that was used for their singing at the 10:00 a.m. Their minister, Pastor Richard Williams, was busy being a presence to many of the men as well as getting ready to preach and assist at the service. All of them were gracious and appreciative that we had invited them to be with us. And it was the first time in a long while that we had 50 people in attendance at our 8:00 a.m. liturgy!
Pivot Ministries began in 1970 to address the drug use among teens and young adults in Norwalk and has now branched out into Bridgeport. From the beginning, the program was designed as a Christ-centered solution to an ever-increasing problem of addiction and had the goal to create a ministry that would "turn men's lives around". It has grown from a small "Pivot House" in Norwalk to four properties that can provide housing and services to 77 men. Their on-campus Community Center hosts GED classes, 12 step meetings, staff training and neighborhood service projects. In 2011 Pivot opened a greenhouse and is focused on creating employment training and opportunities for their graduates.
"The "backdrop to all of scripture is Creation, The Fall, Redemption, and Restoration: Creation – God creates – it is good and very good. The Fall – humans rebel, paradise lost, struggle and shame. Redemption – Jesus rescues, through the cross and resurrection, we are given a second chance. Restoration – we get invited into the project of paradise recovered. God restores us so that we may be vessels for the restoring of others. God is restoring lives. He is restoring families, communities, and He is even restoring our planet."
My daughter and I were one of the last ones to leave church after coffee hour. As we walked through the now empty parking lot, I could not help but wonder as to how we are all called to be part of God's restoration plan for the world. How are we called to "turn our lives" around to bring the story of God's hope and reconciliation to world? How can the light of our faith defeat the darkness that threatens to overshadow us? Together as a community of faith, we can support each other in playing active roles in retrieving paradise lost. Thank you Pivot Ministries for reminding us of the power of God's love and hope in our lives.
Mary Grace+