She Wants To See The Mailroom

Today I got to share one of my top something-ish youth ministry stories. It's rather quite simple, yet it continues to be a  testimony to living out our vocation in our everyday lives --

In 2010, I traveled from Fergus Falls, Minnesota to Chicago, Illinois with a group of students. The first part of our week was spent with an organization called YouthWorks! We spent our nights sleeping under church pews and our days at children's programs and a small, urban church in the South-side. After our program time with YouthWorks! was over, we planned to spend an extra couple days in the city. The first thing on our agenda was a tour of Churchwide, the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

I was both excited and proud to take my students to an office building. It was even on this day that I had decided that we were to wear our matching team t-shirts.

Check-out the happy camper on the right, my father.

When we arrived at Churchwide we were sent up on the elevator to find our tour guide. She greeted us with a welcome and spent some time doing introductions with our group and explaining a little bit about the structure and vision of the ELCA. She then lead us through the different offices explaining how these unique departments connect to the larger vision of the church. In each department we were greeted by friendly faces and candy dishes.

It was towards the end of our tour when our guide asked us if there was anything else we wanted to see. Earlier that morning, well trying to get the students level of excitement to match mine, Morgan asked if we were going to see the mailroom. She was imaging the scene from Elf in which Buddy is let lose in the mailroom.

When we were posed with the question is there anything else we wanted to see, we all giggled and looked at Morgan. And I believe the words, 'She wants to see the mailroom' were spoken. Our guide looked puzzled and said, 'I don't think that has ever been a request before.' And without judgement, we are piled into the elevator and were on our way to the mailroom.

Once there we were introduced to one of the workers who seemed both excited and surprised to see us. She shared a little bit about herself, how the mailroom works and how her job is part of the larger vision of the church. But our time in the mailroom did not end there. We were soon guided through the mailroom with a level of enthusiasm that we did not experience in any other department.

Learning about a new piece of equipment and the role it plays in preparing publications.

It was remarkable to see and experience this trip to the mailroom with my team. It was a simple curiosity that brought us to this part of Churchwide, but for many this was the highlight of our tour. We all noted her enthusiasm and it forced us to dwell in the question of what does it mean to be a participant in the work of the church, as well as what does it mean to be called to live out our vocation? The language may have been different, but those questions were present.

Today, when I got to share this story once more, I was excited. We see the church so broad or so small. We see it as the rostered leaders or the whole community. Whatever our way, we must continue to be reminded of this church that is so large. But not too large that we forget to see the individuals who are living out their identity in Christ everyday. So, thank you, to the mailroom employee that challenged us to be doing God's work in the world.