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Direct Deposit
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Folks at a United Methodist church in Nashville don’t know what to make of a donation – a potent symbol – left on Christmas Eve. Someone put an engagement ring and a wedding band in the collection plate. Maybe the ring lost its value to the owner, or maybe he or she valued it so much that it was the most they could give. Either way, the benefits of the donation are the real story. |
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Tom Gildemeister, pastor: “Here are the rings.”
These wedding bands are a symbol of love – and, for this United Methodist church, a valuable lesson.
Tom Gildemeister: “It’s a lesson about God’s grace.”
The rings arrived on Christmas Eve – a present left in the collection plate.
Tom Gildemeister: “There were two rings in a plain envelope, sealed, absolutely anonymous.”
The congregation wondered: What would motivate a person to give up something so precious? Did the rings carry the scars of divorce or death? No one knows.
Tom Gildemeister: “It could have been rings that had been owned by people for a long time, with no attachment to them at all, and realized that this was a good place for the money to go.”
Down in the church’s basement, the mystery becomes clearer.
Nat sound: “It’s going to be self-serve. Just kind of line up, grab a plate.”
The Christmas offering had been earmarked for a charity that helps the homeless. Donations provide families with a good meal and shelter from the cold. Ralph Crawl is grateful.
Ralph Crawl, homeless: “Sometimes I have to hold back the tears. It’s the love that they give me.”
Nat sound: “Is it supposed to get cold tonight?”
The church supplies a closet full of clothes; Ralph gets to take his pick.
Ralph Crawl: “I got these socks here. They’re good and thick.”
An anonymous gift, a symbol of love, transformed into a powerful weapon against hunger and despair. Ralph Crawl will be warm tonight and his world will be a better place.
Ralph Crawl: “You know the love that they give, I can’t find the words. The only word I can think of is love – that God would give.”
Direct Deposit – Tag:
The donated rings will be appraised and sold, proceeds going to help with the Room in the Inn program. Now, the pastor has been approached by several church members who are looking through their own jewelry boxes for items to donate.