The Rev. Cal Lord For The Bulletin

I couldnt believe what I was seeing as I rounded the corner and headed for the door. People were spilling outside and the sound of music was in the air. I dont think anyone could have predicted the success of this simple fundraiser.

It was a great idea. Get a few musicians together and ask them each to sing a song. Invite people to come and enjoy the jam session. Then ask them to make a donation to the Warm Center. At the end of the day they had 20 acts.

They called it Pass the Guitar. I watched as one performer after another took the stage in front of a standing- room- only crowd at Christ Episcopal Church in Westerly. They promoted it as 20 acts, one guitar but it was really all about Warm.

The musicians and the audience came together to help support the center and the compassionate way that it moves people from homelessness to permanent housing. I loved the way they did it. It was positive and powerful

When I see things like this, George Bernard Shaws famous line, often attributed to Robert F. Kennedy, comes to mind: You see things; and you say Why? But I dream things that never were; and I say Why not?

I like the idea of doing something positive to support the causes we believe in. Im not talking about marches or rallies. They are fun but dont have a lasting impact. Im talking about getting involved by volunteering to make a difference.

The truth is that it was people of faith that started many of the great institutions in our communities. Many of the schools, hospitals, libraries and agencies like Warm are here because someone had a vision and stepped up to see it through.

Jesus sent us out to be a light, to bring his hope, love, grace and salvation to the world. Our call is to make a difference. You cant do that by sitting on the couch. So grab your guitar, your shovel, your wallet or whatever talent you have and lets do something that will make a difference.

God bless. See you in church.

The Rev. Cal Lord, of Norwich, is the pastor of Central Baptist Church of Westerly. Reach him at calstigers@gmail.com.

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SPIRITUALITY: God expects us to use our lives to make a difference - Norwich Bulletin