If you haven’t heard about the gift of silver, please read on . . .

Early on in the aftermath of Judge Bellows’ decision mandating that we turn over all our property to TEC, I was feeling somewhat low, thinking about the things here that have become precious to us, especially things made holy because of their use in worship week in and week out over the years. One Thursday afternoon Rick Wright invited me down to the Board Room to meet someone and see something. A diminutive, graying antique dealer from Pennsylvania had stopped by to give me a gift. He had known of our case and been quite concerned.

Over the years he had collected antique communion vessels and had decided he wanted to give them for our use – I expected to find three or four pieces and was overwhelmed to see the entire boardroom table covered with beautiful silver and pewter. Communion silver, more than enough for us even if we are split up in various meeting places – a gift beyond measure!  He just laughed at my surprise.

My first thought was how God rained down manna and quail, way more than enough, upon the Israelites while in their desert journey, and it seemed to me a sign that in our time of need, God will give us more than enough for our every need. It’s not always easy to believe this, but the silver is just a first installment on many more gifts to come.