Last week at the meeting for the Coalition of Powhatan Churches we had a “surprise” birthday party for one of our most distinguished members, Mr. Winfred Taylor. Mr. Taylor, a long-time Powhatan resident and Hollywood Baptist Deacon, has given of himself for many years to demonstrate the love of Christ to the residents of our county. Mr. Taylor recently turned ninety-four years old, and the leaders of the Coalition wanted to honor him for his birthday.
There was the normal (delicious) birthday party spread of sweet and salty snacks that we shared, but it was what came after the refreshments that was most nourishing for me. Patsy Goodwyn, the founder and leader of the COPC, asked Mr. Taylor if he had any memories of working with the coalition that he would like to share. He didn’t really give a speech, it was more of a conversation of the Coalition “old-timers” consisting of many stories that all began with “do you remember when we…” statements and ended with example after example of how the members of the Coalition helped someone who was in great need.
“Do you remember when we” all went to that woman’s house, that woman with ALL of those cats, and cleaned up for her? She didn’t have a bathroom inside of her house. When they walked in it was too dark to see her or anything about her house, but as their eyes adjusted to the dimness they saw that she had been living in conditions that were far less than ideal. They cleaned her house, much needed items were donated, and they cared for her in a demonstration of Christ’s love. And, in the end, that woman professed faith and became a follower of Jesus.
Someone continued…“I remember when Winfred drove that man to all of his doctor’s appointments.” Another commented…“I remember when Winfred drove that man to dialysis three times a week in Amelia…”. Then “I remember when Winfred and Ruby Leonard did all the work at the food pantry, and then when Winfred did it all himself…”. Story after story of Powhatan residents helping their neighbors when they were facing the most difficult circumstances.
As I write this, I understand that if you weren’t there, this conversation could sound a little braggadocios or self-congratulatory. But it wasn’t. It was very humble, it was drenched in thanksgiving that God had allowed them to serve the residents of our county who were in need.
I was blessed to hear those stories. I was blessed to hear the history of good work in our community. I was blessed to be part of that gathering and to simply sit, be silent, and hear the story of how God has been at work in our community for so long.
I am grateful for people like Winfred Taylor, they serve as an example of what is best about Powhatan. In a world where bad news gets the lion share of the attention let us not forget of all the good stories out there, and I am grateful for the story of Winfred Taylor, Patsy Goodwyn, Nancy Alexander, (and the others I am failing to mention) with the Coalition of Powhatan Churches.