A Message from Our District Lay Leader and Coeur Team Chair, John Townsend

Opportunity knocked

The last month has presented innumerable topics for this newsletter, for example, the election of two new bishops and President Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential election campaign (there are parallels). And my article about dandelions is still someplace on a back burner. But when I realized how badly I had missed answering the door when opportunity knocked, I knew what to write about. As Senator and Baptist preacher Ralph Warnock reportedly observed, “There’s a sermon everywhere”.

Opportunity knocked. I failed to answer.

To set the stage:

A few years ago, my wife Florence and I were asked if we might be able to come to San Antonio over a long weekend to stay with two of our grandchildren while our son and his wife were out of town. While Ian’s absence was related to his duties with the U.S. Army, Susan’s was related to her with their parish.

Ian, Susan, and their oldest son, Matthew, have all participated in ACTS Retreats, and Susan is on the leadership team for the women’s ACTS Retreats at their parish. ACTS is an acronym for Adoration, Community, Theology, and Service. Undoubtedly guided by the Holy Spirit, this lay-inspired program grew out of the Roman Catholic Cursillo, the original “three-day movement,” itself a lay-inspired program. (The Walk to Emmaus is the United Methodist adaptation of Cursillo.)  Not restricted to Catholics, ACTS Retreats, given by parishioners for parishioners, are patterned after the early church as described in Acts 2:42-27, “The Fellowship of the Believers”.

Act I:

When we arrived in San Antonio, we found Susan busy assembling bracelets that would be given to participants in the upcoming retreat. Generally known as “Fisher of Men” bracelets or “ACTS Retreat bracelets”, these bracelets function as a reminder to the wearer of their commitment to their faith. They are a visual cue to live and act in accordance with the Gospel, embracing the idea of being ambassadors and witnesses of their faith. As the aphorism, often attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, goes, “Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words.” As Susan explained all that, I thought, “Now that is pretty neat, actually.”

Act II. Scene I:

Fast forward a couple of years and we are again in San Antonio for, again, close to the same reason. This time, however, we meet Susan as she and the other leaders and participants return to their parish for Sunday Mass. After worship, we are invited to have lunch with the retreat team, participants, and their families. At lunch, a number of folks came by our table to say hello, and I noticed that many of them, especially the men, were wearing Fisher of Men bracelets. Remembering Susan’s explanation of their meaning, I mentioned to Florence that, “I like that bracelet.”

Act II. Scene II:

As luck, or fate, would have it, we were in San Antonio near our anniversary, and (I should have figured this out!) Susan and Florence went shopping. Yup, I was surprised (and a bit taken aback) to receive a truly beautiful Fisher of Men bracelet as an anniversary gift. While this particular style of bracelet is associated with the ACTS program, it certainly is not “restricted” to those who have participated in an ACTS Retreat. Its symbolism applies to all persons of the Christian faith. So, I was especially appreciative of Florence's (and Susan’s) thoughtfulness. But there was a small problem.

Act II. Scene III:

The small problem was in the quality of the gift. Not that I didn’t (or don’t) appreciate that, but that I could foresee getting it pretty well scratched, tarnished, and generally beat up in everyday wear – even not wearing it doing chores around the house. So, remembering that Susan had been assembling bracelets for the retreat, I went shopping for supplies and assembled my own “everyday wear” Fisher of Men bracelet. It serves the same purpose visually—much like a silicone wedding band, for example, serves in lieu of a gold wedding band—reminding me to “Preach the Gospel” and witness my faith.

Act III: Or “The Big Fail”:

Recently I was out and about, running errands, and wearing my “everyday wear” Fisher of Men bracelet (which is not much in the way of fine jewelry!). I was paying for a purchase at a local supply house when the clerk said, without any gibe, “Nice bracelet”. Opportunity knocked. I didn’t open the door. A chance to witness my faith. But all I said was, “Thanks.”

Epilogue:

I’ve had a chance to do better since “The Big Fail”. And I hope I have.

In talking to Matt, whom I stopped to tell that the fence he was building was a work of craftmanship, when, in the course of the conversation he asked (with some hesitancy) “What church do you go to?”. Or the clerk at the glass company who had a half-dozen pennies with a die-cut cross punched from them on her desk. Or the cashier who noticed the aluminum cross I keep in my change purse (given to me and others during Bike2DC by a fellow in Asheboro, North Carolina, not the least bit hesitant to share his faith.)

In our United Methodist membership vows, we renew our Baptismal Covenant and pledge to faithfully participate in the life and ministries of the church through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, (Emphasis added). “Witness” was added by the 2008 General Conference to highlight the duties associated with church membership of mission and evangelism; and, to remind us to live out our vows publicly, resisting evil, injustice, and oppression, serving as Christ’s representatives in the world.

We laity do have, after all, “… primary responsibility for the growth and vitality of … [the church]”. (Just look, for example, at, although Roman Catholic, how Cursillo and ACTS evolved.)

Whether a talisman like that aluminum cross, a visual reminder like my Fisher of Men bracelet(s), or in simple conversation with some stranger like Matt, that opens the door, I hope you will strive to be “a light onto the path”, showing love of our neighbor, and sharing the good news of God’s grace.

I know I need to try harder. I hope you will as well.

John Townsend
Inland Missional District Lay Leader