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The celebration of Easter challenges us to live lives of resurrection, loving God and loving our neighbors. On April 24, the Sunday after Easter, members and friends of The Congregational Church, UCC, in Tryon lived out the resurrection by spending Sunday worship time doing good and spreading love in the community. It was a time of community and service, with opportunities to serve for people of all ages and abilities.

 

The day’s schedule on that beautiful morning was a light breakfast (all homemade) in the church courtyard, a short worship service in the Sanctuary, then, from 10:15 a.m. to 12 noon, it was off to different work sites.  The projects to choose from were: 

• Beautify Creation
  Pick up litter in Polk County. Trash bags and some reflective vests were provided. 
• Kudzu Removal
  Caring for creation by participating in the Kudzu removal project behind the church and removing kudzu, ivy, and other invasive species to better care for creation and cultivate native plant growth. It is hoped that space will eventually serve as the site of beautiful meditation trails. Of course, wearing hiking boots, work gloves, and clothes that could get dirty was necessary. So were bringing clippers and hand saws, if available. Daubers and some spare clippers were provided for lending out.
• Delivering Joy
  Delivering cards and flowers to homebound members.
• More Love Letters
  In the church’s Fellowship Hall or from home, create notes and/or artwork of compassion and kindness to mail or deliver to a church member or friend, a front-line or essential worker, or include in a letter bundle through More Love Letters.  The church has already received comments that it’s a wonderful thing to receive a note of kindness, appreciation and/or hope.
  
• Do Justice
  From the Fellowship Hall or from home, take action and work for justice with the United Church of Christ’s Justice and Peace Action Network. 
• Planting Native Seedlings
  In the Fellowship Hall, plant native plant seeds to take home to raise to eventually be used in the church’s gardens.

It was a beautiful way to worship and spread love. 

Should you want more information about The Congregational Church, UCC, in Tryon, please see the website at www.ucctryon.org or call 828-859-9414.  The church is located at 210 Melrose Avenue in Tryon, North Carolina. Worship is at 10:00 on Sunday mornings. 

Submitted by Ellen Harvey Zipf