I don't even know if "mentor" is the appropriate word, but for a lack of a better one, I will use it. My better half, Lori, is the one who reintroduced me to the church family. I was raised a Catholic and after my experiences with Grammar School through High School as a Catholic student, I believed I had enough. I even tried to get into the public Bronx High School of Science, but while my test grade was good enough, they needed to include more minority-based neighborhoods for admission. This was a very long time ago. Needless to say, my Sundays began to not include church as my usual practice.
Many years later, Lori suggested that we attend a Methodist Church in Oakhurst which she had attended on occasion. I found the church to be very welcoming. The picture of the shirt above, which is being sold at the Lacey United Methodist Church in Forked River, New Jersey, reminded me of the email I just received about the passing of Betty Gibbons, whom I met at the First United Methodist Church in Oakhurst, New Jersey.
I had signed up to take a shift at a local Barnes & Noble to wrap gifts for the United Methodist Women, whom didn't seem to mind that I was a man. I was told that I would be working with Betty Gibbons, whom I never met before. I don't know how old this lady was but she had the energy of a 21 year old. It was not only a good way to raise money but also to get to know Betty.
Not long after, Ms. Gibbons asked if I would like to be a chaperone for the boys at a weekend event at Keswick, located in Whiting, New Jersey. After agreeing, I received a phone call from Betty asking if I would like to hold a seminar at the event. Not ever having been to the event before, I had no idea what to expect. She told me to choose a Bible verse that would be the topic and she would submit it for approval. Well, it got approved and I held a seminar about the "natural man." I was wondering what made Betty believe in me enough to handle this task. Everything did go well, as I held two sessions with a full class of youth.
The following year, I followed Lori's suggestion of making the topic "Revelation." This went over better than the first one. Betty had continued her confidence in me by suggesting that I act out stories for Vacation Bible School, as well as writing a script for the Youth Group to perform in church. I could go and on but Betty opened the door for me to continue similar activities at the Lacey United Methodist Church. My faith has gotten stronger and my desire to help people, especially the youth, has become a primary focus of mine. Just think, all of this and more began by watching this wonderful woman tackle people in a book store to get their gifts wrapped.
