The Gift of God's Church to the World

From the Rev. Canon Victoria D. Duncan, Canon for Development of Mission and Ministry, Episcopal Diocese of Western New York

I have a "building as evangelism" story for you from Church of the Ascension in Buffalo, New York (pictured above). Ascension has welcomed in their worship midst for years now a "homeless" man, who draws from the offering plate as often as he contributes. He's there every Sunday at exactly the right time for church. When I've met him, we've had moments when we've connected, eye to eye, and I've blessed him and greeted him. Then his eyes would roll and he'd be somewhere else....

The Ascension folks missed him for a few weeks, then saw in the obituary a person whose basic description was like his, and had the same name. It was their "homeless" Paul.

They shared the news amongst themselves and independently went to the funeral home wake. They met Paul's cousins who all live in the area, and found out that he was a Marine Corps officer in Vietnam who never successfully reintegrated into society and became a drug addict. Ascension learned that he never made it anywhere and hadn't seen his family in over 15 years. The family learned that Paul had a faith community, and that it was the one
appointed time he made -on time- every week. The family welcomed Ascension's presence, and they celebrated the Eucharist together.

Ascension is experiencing his loss, but celebrating the blessing that they both received and were able to share. Amazing people. An example to me of the gift of God's Church to the world.