A Church for Orchard Park

This morning I realized something.  St. Mark's, the church  where I serve, is becoming a church for Orchard Park. Seems kind of like a neat tagline.  Now,  I don't think  St. Mark's members would describe our church as  "a church for Orchard Park."  But, the more I think about it, the more we are becoming a church for Orchard Park.  Over the course of the last year, we have hosted a number of events that were well received by the community beyond our doors. A free hot dog stand on the Fourth of July, a community movie night on the rectory lawn in August, a St. Francis Day pet blessing  in October and our most recent "Ashes to Go."  St. Mark's is becoming a church that exists for those outside its doors.  

Thank you, Archbishop William Temple for reminding us that "The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members." I wonder what it might be like if communities of faith intentionally embraced this attitude of existing for those who are not our members.  What might that look like?  Might it be a movie night on the lawn where the community could gather for Sabbath rest?  Might it look like what our National Cathedral is doing this weekend, hosting a symposium on gun violence entitled "Gun Violence in America: Reflect, Unite, Act."  How can our church become churches for our towns and cities?  How can we exist for those beyond our doors?