I posted last year about the Community Thanksgiving Service we attended and guess what? Thanksgiving just happens to be coming around again this year and so we attended another Community Thanksgiving Service.
The thing I truly, truly love about these gatherings is the variety of people who attend and the even bigger variety of people who are on the platform.
We heard from Pastor Frank Lassen . . .
and Pastor Roger Barnett . . .
and Pastor Ray Hill.
We enjoyed music . . .
of several varieties.
And then?
Just right out the blue, this strange guy wandered to the platform, sat down, and start reading the newspaper. I mean, really? Who does this sort of thing?
And then to make the whole scenario even stranger, this woman walked up there and started talking and then they got into a whole big conversation.
Thankfully, though, they weren’t just any old crazy couple; they were, in fact, our own Jason and Mary Ann Sherwood! Mary Ann Sherwood (a licensed minister) is the new Associate Pastor at our church, mainly wearing the hats of Youth and Drama Pastor, although she is also an excellent preacher/teacher and does a whole bunch of other things, as well. (I feel especially blessed that Sarah has a youth pastor of such high caliber.)
Mary Ann majored in drama in college and is a script writer, a director and an actor; she and Jason had been invited to participate in the Community Service with a drama she wrote. It was funny and poignant and really good. (And we were so proud of them!)
And then? This really cute pastor got up and said a few words.
It turns out that the assignment of said pastor was to let everyone know that the churches in Manteo are partnering with the Red Cross next year to take turns hosting quarterly blood drives. He was inviting people to sign up that evening to commit to giving blood next year.
After he had said a few words he invited a special guest to the platform to say something . . . a guest who had the ability to put a “face” on blood donation as few other people could. In fact, after the service was over and we were all enjoying some refreshments, one guy walked by the table where Sarah and I were sitting, looked at her, did a double take, stopped in his tracks and said, “Oops, seeing your face just reminded me. I need to go sign up to give blood.”
And off he went to the sign up table, leaving Sarah and I with big smiles on our faces.
I’ll close with the video of the 30-second speech Sarah gave after Steve called her forward.
We’re proud of our girl and along with her, are committed to doing whatever we can do encourage as many people as possible to donate blood.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxkRhiTfccA&feature=youtu.be
Love hearing Sarah’s voice!!! Well done.
Paige, I think she did a great job, too. It’s not easy speaking in front of a crowd if you’re not used to it. Thanks for encouraging her.
Wonderful speech, Sarah! My family is banned for life from giving blood because my husband was stationed in Germany in the late 80’s and we all lived over there for a couple years. It’s something about Mad Cow Disease. I gave blood for years after we were back and then the Red Cross changed their rules. Sure hope I didn’t pass my Mad Cow onto any recipients! 🙂 Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!
Gayle in AL
Gayle, well, I suppose we wouldn’t want to contract any Mad Cow Disease, now would we? 🙂 Thanks for all the blood donations you made before the rule change; we appreciate you!
Very nice! Great job, Sarah, for sharing your story! Sounds like a wonderful partnership between the Manteo churches and Red Cross. I’ve been following your blog for quite a while and I currently work at Red Cross. I had the opportunity earlier this year to tour one of the Red Cross biomedical facilities where donated blood is tested and prepared to be sent to patients in hospitals, and was very inspired. Blood donations can really save a patient’s life!
Happy Thanksgiving to the Smith family! Hope your holiday season is filled with joy!
Anonymous, I think it would be so cool to visit the place where the blood is prepared to send out to hospitals. It must almost feel like a holy ground of sorts, knowing that you’re standing near something that will literally save lives.
Hi Becky, I am Whitney – sorry for the unintended “Anonymous” that I left! And yes, it was really fascinating. The facility I visited was in Baltimore, and it was quite amazing to spend an entire day hearing from staff about how the process worked and walk through the lab (decked out in lab coats of course).
Way to go, Sarah! Happy Thanksgiving, in so many, many ways.
Mary, Happiest Thanksgiving to you, too. Thanks for being one of our greatest cheerleaders! 🙂
Atta girl, Sarah! 🙂
Angela, she’s a keeper, all right!
Precious!
Jen, I so agree.
That’s my Girl!
Yay, Sarah! proud of you!
Love Aunt Deb
Deb, thanks for being a proud auntie. Wish we could be with you at Thanksgiving!
Steve, 🙂