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Story contributed by Shirley Horton, an active member of East Weymouth Congregational Church UCC
October/November 2006
The 50th anniversary year of the United Church of Christ begins officially on All Saints Sunday – Nov. 5, 2006. To celebrate 50 years of UCC history and faith, we’ll feature stories and reflections about how churches and members let their light shine as followers of Jesus and as a faithful members of the UCC.
Rich Crawford, 81 years old, has been a long-time resident of the town of East Weymouth and became a member of East Weymouth Congre-gational Church in the 50s, when he met another long time member and then married her there. Rich is a frequent greeter on Sunday mornings and is always a presence – offering help whenever and wherever it is needed during church functions. His recollections of the village where the church was built more than 100 years ago, are entertaining to many current residents of the area. Outside of church and his children and grandchildren, Rich’s main interests now are sketching, painting, and writing. He has used these talents in recording his keen, sympathetic, observations of life among the indigent in Boston.
A joker on most days, he says that at times he has a hard time being serious. But his serious side and the empathy he has for the plight of others can sometimes be seen in his writing and painting. He is so passionate about his work that he once spent a week posing as a homeless person. Rich dressed in old jeans held up by a rope belt, took the train into Boston and then watched the faces of those with whom he had contact. Many onlookers moved away from him, whispered snide remarks, and made faces as if his odor was too much to bear – even though Rich showered every day.
He tried to fit in with the homeless so he could talk to them and hear their stories. Rich learned which restaurants left food for the hungry – food not half-eaten or bad, but meals that went back to the kitchen because they were wrong orders. He found many of the homeless were fond of wine. But he also discovered that many were well-educated, some well versed in politics, and at least one musically gifted. Rich sketched them when he could, and then painted the drawings after he returned home.
Rich has given some of his paintings away for church fundraisers. He brings them to art shows and hangs them in senior citizen centers. His work is evidence of his understanding of what life is like for many homeless people, and by sharing them he helps others understand as well.
One of the “Let It Shine” national celebration prayers includes the phrase: “God is speaking with a challenge: to follow Jesus on the way; Live as servants, be a blessing, as disciples, day by day.”
Through church activities, sharing fond memories, and bringing attention to social injustice, Rich knows God is Still Speaking, and has been through the decades.
Shine! To shine is to emanate the present of God in our world – to continue the work and witness of the gospel message in our world. If you know of a member who has shined over these past fifty years, please
contact cochranem@macucc.org.