Column: Guest Column, by Nancy Overgaard

HOLLANDALE — Driving into Hollandale, noting a population of 303, an outsider might not expect to find a lot of life in this small community. Turning into the parking lot of the Hollandale Reformed Church on a Sunday morning, noticing how congregants artfully create an extra row to fit all the cars, one might be left with quite another impression.

Stepping into a beautifully adorned sanctuary one would sense not only life, but warmth in the people and the place. The Sunday before Christmas, it was evident a dedicated altar guild and quilting group had been hard at work behind the scenes. Handcrafted banners and lighted evergreen trees graced the front of the church as Christmas carols filled the air, a sign of devotion on the part of the accompanist who has offered her musical gifts for 50 years, beginning in seventh grade.

Visitors in this close-knit community within a small community might anticipate feeling unwelcome and out of place. Yet, it is doubtful they would, and not by chance. From beginning to end of the service, the pastor encouraged congregants, by exhortation and example, to care for others within and without. Offering heartfelt prayers for parishioners facing sobering medical diagnoses, he called on all to reach out with calls, cards, gifts and prayers of their own.

Weaving the service together with inspirational stories of people helping people at Christmas, he stirred parishioners to do the same, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. Mission trips to Haiti and service projects in the U.S. offer members of this relatively small congregation an opportunity to have a relatively large impact.

As comfortable giving a message to children as to the rest of the congregation, the pastor reviewed lessons from the Jesse Tree, a bare twig reminiscent of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree, sparsely decorated with bells, halos and a star. The ornaments tell the story of the Savior whose birth was so extraordinary as to be heralded by bells, angels, even a star, while the bare tree depicts what life feels like without Jesus. On Christmas Eve, in celebration of the birth of Jesus, a living tree would replace the barren to portray the fullness of life that comes with Christ.

To this outsider, it was apparent many in the church were already living in that fullness, devoting their lives to helping others do the same, using time and talent in service to God and others. Besides all else, a rich array of Christmas carols added fullness to the service and fulfilment to the heart, enhanced by a choir whose contribution goes far beyond music. Matching the dedication of deacons and decorators, choir members spend their days serving the community as nurses, farmers, salesmen, business owners, and administrators; evenings practicing for Sunday — one member for 30 years! Why give so freely of their time? Though it does enhance their own lives, in the camaraderie and sheer joy of singing and harmonizing, it seems the greatest motivator is simply to honor God and enhance the lives of others.

So, if you think our small towns and communities may be lacking in life, think again. If your life has been feeling more like a barren twig than a flourishing evergreen, why not stop by and see if there just might be something to the message of the Jesse Tree?

 

Nancy Overgaard is a member of the Freeborn County Ministerial Association.