• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Edwards Church

United Church of Christ | Saxonville, Massachusetts

  • About
    • Staff
    • Open and Affirming
    • FAQ
    • Accessibility
    • History
    • Rentals
  • Worship
  • Faith Formation
  • Mission
  • Music
  • Serving
    • Ministry of Congregational Life
    • Ministry of Outreach and Justice
    • Ministry of Spiritual Life
    • Ministry of Administration
  • Sermons
  • Rentals
  • Giving

Quiet Christianity

March 8, 2019 by Rick Seaholm

A Lenten Devotion by Rick Seaholm

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35 (NRSV)

I miss my Grandma. On the tenth anniversary of her passing I wrote a testimony on what she had meant to me. Nearly five more years have come and gone and that original post still brings tears to my eyes. Upon reading it just a few moments ago, I was reminded of how the sadness of her passing was eased somewhat by an unexpected surrogate relationship right here at Edwards Church.

My grandmother was a member of Grace Congregational Church for as many years as I was aware, and when she no longer could attend in person, a visiting team would make their way to her home, socially. A few years back, one of the greatest Christmas gifts came to me a few weeks early. I had dedicated a poinsettia in her name, and a new woman approached me after the service, asking how did I know Orlena? I learned that day that Gloria Sadler had been one of my grandmother’s visitors many years before, and she still remembered her. This relationship has been one of the most important things that has come out of my time at Edwards Church, further reminding me that higher powers were in play when I made my way to the United Church of Christ in the first place.

The most spectacular thing about Grandma’s religion was that she never wore it on her sleeve. The only way you’d know what was in her heart was by observing the way she lived her life. That is how I want to live. She understood the value of the new commandment, loving her God and each of her grandchildren with her whole heart. She was a quiet Christian, generous and loving, and as her body began to break down, she lived her life through those of us who still had steps to take. It is an incredible honor knowing that, through our recent merger, I am now serving with members of her congregation. Grandma is still with me.

God, even in times of loss and sadness, help us see potential silver linings and the opportunity for entirely new relationships from the least expected places. Amen

Filed Under: Lenten Devotional 2019

Primary Sidebar

Easter Season

Come Join Us!

Set your GPS for 39 Edwards Street, Framingham. We have plenty of parking!

We’d love to welcome you for worship Sundays at 10 am in our sanctuary (39 Edwards Street, Framingham) or on livestream. We’d also love to talk with you about weekday programs, our congregation, and your hopes (email Rev. Clark at pastor@edwardschurch.org or call 508-877-2050).

To sign up for events or to help out, click here.

Support Edwards Church

To donate to Edwards Church by Paypal, please use the link below. Please indicate in the notes field how you would like the donation directed:

Open and Affirming

Lenten Devotional

Upcoming Events

Please sign up, for our weekly email to get the latest events.

Open Spirit

Photo Galleries

Pentecost 2018
Pentecost 2018
Painting Improv 2018
Painting Improv 2018
Easter 2018
Easter 2018
Palm Sunday 2018
Palm Sunday 2018

Footer

About

  • Staff
  • Accessibility
  • FAQ
  • History

Boards

  • Ministry of Spiritual Life
  • Ministry of Outreach and Justice
  • Ministry of Administration
  • Ministry of Congregational Life

Committees

  • Our Teams

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in