May 7, 2022

I want to thank all of you who attended the Nehemiah Action event last Monday sponsored by JUST (Justice Unites Savannah Together). Our congregation was very well represented, and our choir did an outstanding job of inspiring the participants with the song, "What Does the Lord Require of You?"

You may be wondering who won the wager between us and Congregation Mickve Israel as to having the most people in attendance. One of our choir members told me at the beginning of the event that she had heard that we were waaaaaay ahead...that we would most certainly be victorious!" But then I got the news the other day that there was an upset...that Mickve Israel had more people than we did. Something fishy is going on here. I caught Rabbi Haas trying to persuade folks that our choir members shouldn't be counted since they participated in the event. That perspective is not kosher!

Anyway, since there was obviously going to be a great debate as to who really won, Rabbi Haas and I have agreed to call it a tie. That means, I will be going to Mickve Israel one Saturday to sing a song from the musical, Fiddler on the Roof, and Rabbi Haas will be coming to Asbury one Sunday to preach wearing a Star Wars' costume. We will keep you posted as to when this will be occurring. We'll try to make it happen in May or June. 

Last Saturday was Anita Clay's 100th birthday. She has been partying all week!

She is amazing! Here is a wonderful article about Anita that was written 12 years ago when she was 88. Enjoy this article about this great World War II veteran and one of the founding members of the Crabettes! 

Today is Mary Alice Garvin's 95th birthday. Mary Alice served as choir director and organist at Asbury many years ago. She later became the organist at Blessed Sacrament where she retired not too long ago. She has also played for thousands of weddings and funerals. In fact, she played for Marie Winter's funeral at Fox and Weeks Funeral Home this past week. She also happens to be the mother of Asbury Wildberry, Carmel Hearn, grandmother of choir member, Alex Swanger, and great grandmother to David Swanger. Happy Birthday, Mary Alice!

Tomorrow is Mother's Day. One of the traditions we like to do at Asbury on this special Sunday is use an Affirmation of Faith that is especially designed for Mother's Day. It was written by Rev. John Killinger, I've copied it here for you so you can use it to reflect upon as we honor and celebrate God and our mothers tomorrow. 

 

I believe in Jesus Christ,

    a Child of the living God,

    who was born of the promise to a woman named Mary.

I believe in the love that Mary gave her Son,

    that caused her to follow him in his ministry

    and stand by his cross as he died.

I believe in the love of all mothers,

    and its importance in the lives of the children they bear.

    It is stronger than steel,

    softer than down,

    and more resilient than a green sapling in springtime.

    It closes wounds,

    melts disappointments,

    and enables the weakest child to stand tall and straight

    in the midst of adversity. 

I believe that this love, even at its best,

    is only the shadow love of God,

    a small reflection of all that we can expect of the divine,

    both in this life and the next.

And I believe that one of the most beautiful sights in the world

    is a mother who lets this greater love

    flow through her to her child,

    blessing the world with the tenderness of her touch

    and the tears of her joy.

Thank God for mothers,

and thank mothers for God!

 

Love and Blessings,
Billy

Rev. Billy Hester