If you haven’t met Mary Friedlander, you should. Known as Granny Mary to the kids, she wears her love in her smile. Her joy in Christ and for life radiates to everyone around her. Since I met her, her warmth has repeatedly struck me.
She and I sat and had a chat the other day. We didn’t start where I intended, with the new Life Center. We began with what she calls, “The first thing first.” We began with us as, “A community formed in the name of Jesus Christ and our desire to follow Him. To learn from Him.”
Putting Christ first is why she sees Father Lex as such a vital addition to St. Thomas. She says his, “Good old Southern religion is a strong faith we haven’t had before. He encourages us to feel strong about our faith. There is no question he’s a Christian and he wants us to be Christians. It’s a very warm back and forth feeling that we all love the same Lord.”
As an ardent student of the Bible, she studies not just the words, but their contextual meaning. Through reading scripture and discussing it in fellowship with others, she continues to blossom as a person. As a member of the St. Thomas bible study, she joins the group of 25 who squeeze into the parish’s conference room each Tuesday. In the communal exploration of Christ’s words, she has seen members work through challenging questions, celebrate each other’s joys, and support one another through hard times.
However the space is limiting and clearly space is what the parish needs. Space for fellowship – for people to gather, learn and grow through Christ. “Space,” Mrs. Friedlander says, “where everyone can feel comfortable and safe.”
Building for the hospitality of God means we are, “Putting the first thing first.” It means we are making space for fellowship with each other and Christ.
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