Fellowship Babtist Chruch Indianapolis Celebrates the Christmas Story

Amid all the materialism of the season it is no surprise to find those with the least celebrating the bigger message of the Star...

Fellowship Baptist Church is located at 3851 E. New Yorks, Street, Indianapolis For those who are not familiar with this area of Indianapolis, let me fill you in a bit. There appears to be an arson problem in the area, with what seems like a daily increase of burnt out gutted houses that give the area the look of a war zone. There is gang Graffiti evident, despite a city government that denied the gang problem until it is well out of hand. There are drug dealers on most corners and a prostitution problem that has residents putting signs in their front lawns requesting the street walkers to leave the area. I can't help but think it looks more like a war zone than the middle-class America depicted on the nightly televising sitcoms and advertisements. But, nested among the destruction are small oasis's and refuges like Fellowship Baptist Church.

A dear friend name Janet invited me to Church; she has attended this church since I have known her. She shares that she was saved at this church, and despite the fact that she lives some distance from the Church, in much more affluent area, she supports and attend services here with her children.

The first thing I notice it that parking is not a problem. The church has bought the lots that two destructed houses sat on to build a parking lot but, it will be some time before the lots are finished. Faith will have to fill those parking lots. We parked on New York Street where there was just a hand full of other cars.

The church itself is an old building and the first thing that strikes me are the decorations. They are mostly green and red crepe paper, white lights and card board cut out sheep. As the congregation begins to sing Christmas carols to an out of tune older piano, I think of some of the other Indianapolis Churches have a bigger Christmas decorating budget than this Church's budget for the entire year. Then, I remember that the birth we celebrate had no decoration, except maybe some hay that lined the manager.

The the Christmas play begins. The play directed by Wiley Rayborn begins as a modern day news report. One of the participant's named Bobbie talks about having to "change the story up a bit." He says the angels have whistles. "How can you describe harps and trumpets to the child that has never seen them?" Reverend Gary Pitcock asked "how do you describe a virgin birth to the child that witnesses the media to use sex to sell everything on and witnesses sex sold on the street?"

There is a desk and one of the children begins a news report on the story of the birth from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. There is a weather map and another child tells that the after some research they discovered that December weather is the Bethlehem is cold. Probably around 30 degrees. As Whiley Rayborn plays the guitar to the strains of Silent Night, the Shepard's arrive. I am awestruck by the humor and imagination. The wise men carry large boxes that are marked "this is a rock," "this is a bigger rock.," and "this is a long hard rock." The Wise men take rest as they sleep with their heads on cardboard rocks as we are reminded that those who traveled so far did not rest at a Holiday Inn.

The Sheppards mill in their bed sheets with their "sheep and cattle." The children that are crouched in front of the Sheppards have signs that say "I am a sheep" and "I am a cow." An I am awestruck by the imagination. This low budget play makes be laugh and reflect on gratitude instead of the material things of the season. Such a contrast to some of the large Church productions I have attended. Truly this play is blessed by those who are rich in Spirit. I wonder how many children in the area lack this kind of extended family, and if the city would be different if all children has this kind of love and acceptance.

There are gifts passed out to the congregation: New Testaments and Christmas Cd's. I was given a lovely crystal cross and a very nice key chain with the number one reminding us that Christan are to put the Christ principals first int heir life. We sing Happy Birthday to those who celebrate their rebirth in Christ. I am taken in by the fact that about 25 percent of the group came to accept Jesus during the Christmas season. Reverend Gary talks about how the Prince of Peace has changed "rounders." He explains to those who don't know the term that a rounder is someone who has been around. I laugh thinking this is a most polite way to put the term.

After the service my friend Janet introduces me to Reverend Pitcock and his wife Betty. The faces are familiar, as are the names, I challenge my aging memory banks and ask if her had ever been to Highland Manor Healthcare? You see, I seem to remember writing that name on my Activity Calendar the years that I worked there. Gary Pitcock thinks and the he says, yes we have met before. He said Highland was one of the thirty something nursing homes he visited each month with Hope Baptist church.

As we visit after the service I realized that I know Janet's friend Pam from another nursing home. I visit with Janet's son and daughter and law and his face lightens when he recognizes me. He discussed that he remembered how much his grandfather loved when I visited him in the past. Then Indianapolis become a big small town again for those who travel int he same circles.

As we go back to the car, I look around a somewhat deserted neighborhood and wonder where everyone is on this Christmas morning. I hope they are blessed to be visiting with family. And I think how bless it is to visit with my family in Christ this Christmas season. For is is the love and the spirit that keeps us warn on these cold days and gives us Hope that spring will come again. Merry Christmas!.