United Church of Fayetteville 310 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville, NY 13066

"A great place to hear music a lot of fun I enjoy playing there as a musician would love to do it again"

"Beautiful sanctuary. Pastor is great."

"I am simultaneously a liar and a good Samaritan. I was walking towards Hullar's Coffee Shop to have breakfast and fiddle with my camera. I gave a thumbs up to a passing runner, already tan for the season. That's when I heard a man crying for help. "Oh, gawd! Oh gawd! Would anybody help me"? I saw a man beside a powered wheelchair. I thought he had fallen. I thought, "Why not. It's a mitzpah. And I am on my way past two churches with services starting in five minutes, churches that I am glad they are living churches but don't feel like attending today". He got up ably into his seat, despite his left leg, cut off at the knee. "I need some help. I need that hose taken off the spigot. It's the wrong hose. Now listen, listen to me. Use your left leg to push aside the hedge, then reach in and unscrew the hose". He could have done it himself if it weren't for the hedge. He talked as I reached down and unscrewed the coupling. "You're doing the Lord's work. I called the United Church where I've been a member for all my life, looking to hire a retiree, and the church secretary could find nobody. So God sent you to me. Thank you". I wasn't sure how long this was going to take, but I did have a few minutes. "Church starts in five minutes, but that's okay". He pointed at another hose. "Could you attach that hose"? That increases the difficulty because treats don't often mate that well. It took a bit of fumbling and twisting before the coupling twisted on securely. It had to be secure or otherwise the water would leak. Any man who would change a black hose for a green hose would be severely bothered by leaking. I twisted until the twisting would twist no more. "I know you won't take any money because you are doing the Lord's work". He was right. I did odd jobs for elderly neighbors as a young man for change to spend at Harry's Corner Store in Walkerville. My friend Larry taught me how to go to the door, knock and ask. A neighbor named Mamie always had some sweeping or trash to take out. As a fifty-five year old man remembering being ten years old and hustling for pop, I knew every woman from my grandmothers down to my daughter would be embarrassed if I shook the man down for cash. He asked for help coiling up the black hose, which he wanted attached to the spigot on the east side of the house. So I carried it around the back, where I found his sister filling up a lily pond with a white hose. She took the white hose off and put the black hose on. She returned to filling up the pool. I had completed a single unit of work. He wasn't alone. So I wished him a good day. "Since you are on the way to church, I need another favor". "Of course". He pointed at his left leg. "Pray for the healing of my left leg". I pondered. Wouldn't that be a remarkable power to evoke. One message to the heavens and his calf, ankle and foot could be restored. "I'll do what I can". And I took my leave. I passed by the United Church. I passed by the Episcopal Church. At the doors, vergers awaited to open up the portal for any and all. I found the door of Hullar's Coffee Shop unlocked, but I had to open it for myself."

"Enjoy the music directed by Jared Shepherd at the services."