This past week we had a production meeting for our 2023 God On Broadway services. 

I know. God On Broadway is not until October. But it takes a lot of planning to pull something like this off — using five different musicals in five Sundays! It crazy! But it's also quite marvelous!

Eight of us gathered around a table and broke bread at a restaurant to talk about the sets, costumes, music, sound, and livestreaming for the services. It was exhilarating! We're excited about using the music and characters from Fiddler On the Roof, Spamalot, Hair, The Lion King, and The Addams Family to enhance our worship and to help people be renewed, fulfilled, and challenged! 

Our waiter, who recently graduated from high school, overheard our conversation and couldn't help but ask us what we were talking about. "What kind of group are you?" he wondered. We all smiled at each other.

Come to find out, our young waiter is a great lover of theatre and the arts. He had just finished playing King Arthur in his school's production of Camelot. 

We told him about Asbury, its history, and how we've become an all-inclusive congregation. He said, "I didn't know there was a church like that in Savannah." The conversation between us grew and I thought he was about to pull up a chair and join us for supper. I started feeling sorry for all of the other customers he was supposed to be waiting on.

Our meeting this enthusiastic waiter was bitter-sweet. He really wants to try attending Asbury, but he is just about to leave for his college education at The Citadel.

I was so sorry that he had not known about Asbury sooner. Here's the kicker: He doesn't live very far from the church.

All of this time, he could have been attending Asbury and had a church family to help and support him. A church family that would be encouraging him and praying for him as he starts this new venture in life.

All week I've kept hearing the waiter's words bouncing around in my brain: "I didn't know there was a church like that in Savannah." I invite you to allow those words to bounce around in your mind, too.

And ask yourself, "What can I do to make sure people know that there is a faith community that seeks to welcome and love all people." I encourage you to figure out how you can share this good news with others.

One of the many good things to share about our church with others is its Stephen Ministry. During worship last Sunday, five church members were commissioned to be our newest Stephen Ministers. We thank Don Colvard, Emily Garrard, Curtis Veal, Sherry Giddens, and Paul Fagan for going through the Stephen Ministry training and committing to serving others through this ministry. They are pictured to the left — from left to right: Don, Emily, Curtis, Sherry, and Paul. 

Our prayers are with you.

The Raise the Roof Capital Campaign is still going on, and there are plenty of dates to choose from on the 12 monthly calendars.

if you have not signed up for a date, you may do so by going to the following link:

If you have any questions, please call the church office at 912-233-4351.

We always have our doors wide open at Asbury and Wesley Oak for anyone looking for a church home and a church family. Our next New Member Classes will be in October. If you are interested in learning more about church membership and the classes, please contact Candace Jenkins at the church office or contact me at bghester3@comcast.net.

Our dear Matriarch of the church, Virginia Holliday, had to be admitted to the hospital this week. She has since been transferred to Riverview Health and Rehabilitation Center. Please pray for her. Virginia is 99 years old and is the only surviving church member of the special group of Elderberries that were at Asbury when I arrived in 1993. On the right is a picture of Virginia with her good friend, Mary Alice Garvin, and then minister of Asbury, Rev. Terry Deloach. The picture is from the 1960s or 70s.

I have the next two Sundays with you before I take a little break in the summer. I'll share more about my break in next week's email. I'm looking forward to bringing the Sunday message two more times before I leave. This Sunday I'll be sharing one of of my favorite stories — one that I shared four years ago. The title of the sermon is: Chessie, Community, and Healing. 

Love & Blessings to all!
Billy