Church boards offer inspirational thoughts
Jan 28, 2010 - 02:53 PM
By Jeff Hayward
UXBRIDGE -- "C'mon in, Jesus loves you a latte."
That was the message, complete with a depiction of a steaming mug of latte, on a large sign in front of the Free Methodist Church at 81 Reach St. on Jan. 27.
Each week brings fresh thoughts to the message board, explained the church's Pastor Joe Schaefer. Ideas for the messages come from all over; people e-mail suggestions or stick them through the front door of the church regularly, he said. Other times, an idea will just pop into the pastor's head.
The Free Methodist church has offered the inspirational notes for about eight years. But the practice of displaying messages on church signs goes back a bit further in time, he explained, while pointing to a page in a book entitled Great American Book of Church Signs that reads, "Seven days without prayer makes one weak." Sifting through a box of examples inside the church, the reverend pointed to another note: "Be an organ donor, give your heart to Jesus."
There are some offerings he doesn't endorse, such as one signed by 'God' that reads, "Don't make me come down there." That kind of bulletin is a bit heavy-handed, said Rev. Schaefer.
"We're not (trying) to poke people in the eye, just to ponder," he said.
Some of the posted words are life lessons that aren't necessarily religious, he said. For example, the other side of the Methodist sign on Jan. 27 read, "A good example has more value than good advice."
He said a surprising number of people pass by the sign on foot and in cars and he hopes the messages will inspire some.
"I don't know what burdens they're carrying," he said. "If I can get people thinking in the right direction, maybe it'll get them to move in the right direction."
While the sign has been tagged with graffiti a couple of times, he hasn't heard any negative reactions to the board notices, he said.
"I think people get it that we're a church, we're going to put up God messages," said Rev. Schaefer. In fact, "Feedback is good all the time, people stop to take pictures."
Since people are always offering their thoughts for the two-sided sign, the pastor has decided to hold a contest for the best inspirational thought from the public to be posted on the board, with the winner also to receive an Easter basket, he said. Details of the contest will be posted on
www.ufmc.ca.
Free Methodist is not the only religious institution along that stretch to offer thoughts to the public. On Jan. 27, a sign outside Living Water Community Church at 141 Reach St. read, "Why not come in for a faith-lift?"
While the signs can be humourous, Rev. Schaefer demonstrated he also has a good sense of humour.
"The length of the message depends on the weather. If it's cold, I work fast," he said.
Recommend :