Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it. – Hebrews 13:2
Jane welcomed me into her home.
She says I asked, and she said, “yes.” Either way,
when I was without a place to live for three weeks,
I had a temporary home with her.
It was Spirit-led. Had to be. All worked out, almost easily.
Some say we entertain angels when invited in.
I was invited into the home of an angel, I think.
Stay here, she said.
Sleep in this bed, she said.
Have some pasta, sit with me and Legs, eat your fill, she said.
Jane was never still.
UMW, mother, Conference committees, grandmother, voice for voiceless, SPRC, organizer, golfer, Chairperson, laugher extraordinaire.
Always room for one more: friend, conversation, new idea, a laugh, to love.
Let’s do something new, she said.
Let’s invite people, she said.
Let’s give them something to hang onto, to come back to, to truly love, she said.
Let’s go to the people, she said. Outside the church, she said. Into the community, she said.
Let’s bring Jesus to the people, she said.
She made calls. She invited. She laughed. She loved every minute of it.
Energy.
Light.
Laughter.
Love.
Excitement.
Always ready for more.
Jane’s love for the Church and Jesus knew no bounds.
My 25-year-old self watched with wonder.
I knew no other like her.
I don’t suppose I ever will.
I learned hospitality from Jane.
She led like Jesus.
She was an angel who invited me in.
She invited all in.
She was invited to live in a new place this year, among the angels, in the arms of God.
I want to offer hospitality/energy/love/be ready for more; I want to be like Jane and Jesus.
May Jane’s beloved UMC offer hospitality like Jesus too.
I can’t say with 100% surety that Jane was a member of the $10 Club, but she sure did operate like a member! She was constantly co-creating with God and with UMW members, with her congregation, and with most anyone who would listen for 2 minutes. She helped plant Christ UM Church in Chapel Hill; she helped plant the love of Christ in many, many hearts. I give thanks to God for Jane.
Gracious and Loving God, when we see you through the life and action of people in our lives, you again draw near to us. Over and over, we find you nudging us, teaching us, and loving us in a human and divine way. Thank you, God, for your presence and for the renewed vision your offer! Keep nudging us, Lord, to create alongside you, places and people who bring light to your mission of making disciples who make disciples who make disciples…for the transformation of the world and every heart in it.
Rev. Tara Lain serves as the Harbor District Superintendent.
Our theme for this year’s Lenten reflections is Graceful Hospitality. 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the Ten Dollar Club, now known as the New Room Society. We give thanks for our Conference’s ongoing commitment to co-creating new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ and extending graceful hospitality to all of God’s children.