Have you ever looked at a stained-glassed window? Why? What is the appeal? To the regular eye, it is just a bunch of colored pieces of glass stuck together with glue. Nothing special … or is it? It is often not the colors that draw us in but rather the picture created from these kaleidoscopes of colors.
What if I told you that you are surrounded with stained-glass windows in Plant City? You would probably respond, “Well, duh. I have been here all my life. You are the one just coming back after 25 years!”
Although this may be true, I am not referring to the stained-glass windows on so many of our churches. I am referring to the stained-glass pieces of art that walk, talk and live in our community. These are the best masterpieces, because they form incredible designs of families, friends and businesses. They also, more importantly to me, form the best picture of the church.
A few weeks ago, I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting with a group of ladies for an afternoon Bible study and luncheon. Oh, the sacrifices of retirement, but someone has to do it. What made this a unique time for me was that this study group included a diverse group of ladies from an even greater diversity of denominations — Methodist, Presbyterian, Assembly of God, Baptist, Catholic and more. Some were from the area, and some from as far as 30 or 40 minutes away. They talked, shared, encouraged and throughout the school year, they study the Bible together.
During the opening part of the luncheon, they did something brave — they asked me to speak. It wasn’t that I was not prepared; it is just a good rule to never give the floor to a preacher when it is time to eat (unless you are having a cold salad, and it does not matter how long you go).
I spoke for a few moments — really I did — and simply shared that as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, the part I loved about the military chapels was that when we prayed, sang, served and listened to God’s word, we did it as a body of Christ — not as individual denominations. Every one of us added a unique and brilliant color to the stained glass of God’s church. No color is more important or less necessary. All contribute to a vibrant and needed glow of grace that takes a central light and creates a showcase of color for the world to see.
Regarding the ladies Bible study, this is what the founder and facilitator Martha Sue Skinner said: “From the humble beginning of five ladies in their homes, our study did indeed begin to grow. Our next decision was to have a noon hour to perhaps attract working ladies. Since that time, we have moved to larger places three times, as we outgrew each one, since 2009. Now, we are meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, September through May, at the Planteen Recreation Center, 401 Dort St.
“The ladies are a very diverse group in ages and spiritual backgrounds, representing 15 or more different church affiliations and no church affiliations,” she said. “This is our fourth year, with 60-plus strong and average attendance of 35 each week. We now have a great large room, and we welcome each and every new face in the fall when school starts back.”
These ladies continue to come and add their special pieces to the growing stained-glass window of a community of faith. The best part is there is always room for more pieces to be added. What color will you add?
Chaplain Ret. Maj. Daniel Middlebrooks is president and CEO of Comprehensive Chaplaincy Care and Consulting and pastor at Hopewell Baptist Church. For more information, call (813) 767-2082 or email to chaplainmiddlebrooks@hotmail.com.