On Palm Sunday of this year, some of the wisest, most esteemed elders in the Christian Church, including such leaders as Walter Bruggeman, Tony Campolo, Bishop Curry, and Jim Wallis, released a statement reclaiming the centrality of Jesus and restating the church’s charge to change the world through the life and love of Jesus Christ. They quote Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said: “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.” This new confession of faith advocates care for people in vulnerable situations.
III. WE BELIEVE how we treat the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the stranger, the sick, and the prisoner is how we treat Christ himself. (Matthew 25: 31-46) “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” God calls us to protect and seek justice for those who are poor and vulnerable, and our treatment of people who are “oppressed,” “strangers,” “outsiders,” or otherwise considered “marginal” is a test of our relationship to God, who made us all equal in divine dignity and love.
As followers of Jesus, we have many opportunities to serve and advocate for the vulnerable, in both large and small ways. The Main Line Adult Day Center, housed in the Foederer House, located on our campus, is a mission designed to meet the daytime needs of vulnerable adults with cognitive and physical limitations, and provides respite for their caregivers. A partnership between Main Line Health and Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, the center has been in operation since 1988 and occupies an important niche in our community’s continuum of care.
We are proud of this ministry and proud of the center. We’ve recently completed renovations that make the house even more inviting and friendly and we want you to come take a look. We encourage you to come and bring friends to tour the center, either after the 10:00 service on Sunday, June 24th, or during an Open House on Tuesday, June 26 from 4 to 6 p.m. Members of the board and staff will be on hand to answer questions. Current BMPC board members are By Graff, Bruce Dunkman, Gordon Webster, and Christine Bradway.
As a church, let us continue to reclaim Jesus at the heart of our community and let us be active in caring and advocating for the vulnerable among us – at the Adult Day Center and throughout our community.
