This Sunday is the first Love Shelbyville day of 2025, and I wanted to share a few reminders as we get ready to go bring the WARMTH of Christ' love on a COLD weekend!
Love Shelbyville grew out of our unwillingness to be focused on ourselves. Christ Community started gathering at Southside Elementary on 10/10/10, and even in those early days, the launch team knew they didn't want to start a church that was for them. They wanted to start a church that loved Shelbyville. Over the years, that's the heartbeat that has caused Love Shelbyville days to grow into what they've become. When we moved into our current space in 2014, we went from serving once per quarter, to every other month. We didn't want to get stuck inside! When we added more space in 2016, we moved to every month. Coming out of the pandemic, we asked our partners what served them best and settled into the every other month rhythm we currently serve in. Even how often we serve is about focusing on the needs of our community. When you show up for Love Shelbyville day, it's automatically not about you.
Circa 2011, Torrey Smith does some landscaping at the old Southside Elementary. Don't let the details keep you from making a difference. We serve through a variety of mission partners, community initiatives, and felt needs we learn about. The variety of ways we serve also comes with a variety of levels of organization. Some of the opportunities have ready made opportunities we are fitting into. Others have no structure and we're building the plane as we fly it. All of them give us the opportunity to make a difference. Sometimes the difference is a tangible felt need. At other times, it's simply learning the stories of those you're serving with and discovering how you can be a part of a gospel-centered mission in the future. Here's what you and I need to remember on a Love Shelbyville day: Don't let the details keep you from making a difference. Bring your self - your gifts and energy and passion - and engage with all you've got!
CCC Community Involvement Director Katie Gaither sends the church out on a Love Shelbyville day in 2024. It's almost always someone's first day. Over the last 12 years, I've met very few people who don't commend the idea of Love Shelbyville days (There's a few out there, though!). I say that to say this: Everyone loves the idea of loving Shelbyville, but engaging with it can be difficult because its uncomfortable and doesn't always feel.. churchy. Because of that and the fact that people are curious, every Love Shelbyville day is almost always someone's first day. Who knows, it could be you! Whether you're helping someone figure it out, or you're the one joining us for the first time, don't let your anxieties keep you from just jumping in and serving together. Check out this link with more of what you can expect on the actual day.
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