New Around the Mission
Balloons, Floats and Diapers
September 16, 2010
As balloons drift skyward beyond arms reach, crowds below fill in the gaps between street lamps dotting the sidewalks of downtown Lapeer, Michigan. Visitors from miles away browse booths with handmade crafts and artwork. It’s a muggy August Saturday morning, time for the annual Lapeer Days Parade. After a three-year hiatus from entering a float, the congregation of St. Matthew’s Church is making their presence known as a place of help for those suffering because of the severe local economic downturn.
The Rev. David Hudspeth, new Rector at St. Matthews, holds the Honorable Mention award for their sandcastle float.
Floats, including St. Matthew’s sandcastle replica of the church complete with stained glass windows, pass boisterous onlookers packed in front of the post office and crouched on the court house steps. Just seventy miles away from Motor City, the quaint community of Lapeer has only 9000 residents and almost 30% unemployment. Yet, it is the county seat and hub of activity for the entire population of 90,000 that live in the county.
“The whole process of designing the float, building it and participating in the parade created a renewed energy within our congregation,” explains the Rev. David Hudspeth. “More than half the adults in the congregation and our entire youth group participated. I believe this time of fellowship and joint effort was vital in bringing everyone together after 16 months without a permanent pastor in place.”
St. Matthews advertises their Diaper Ministry on the back of the float, making people aware of the outreach that helps those in need during hard economic times.
Hudspeth gave his first sermon as the new Rector at St. Matthew’s on July 11 and thought that being part of the festival would be “a great way to teach people the importance of becoming a presence for Christ within the community as they catch the vision of becoming a missional church.”
Parishioners handed out fliers about their Diaper Bank Ministry while walking beside the float. Joining with Love Inc., a local charitable organization, the church helps to provide diapers for low income families living in the area. The fliers generated several inquiries about the ministry.
“We want to see this community recover from economic crisis,” shares Hudspeth. “Being a visible presence gets the word out that we are committed to the people here and we want to help.”
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action
