http://www.hopeandhelpcenter.org/"God Buries His Workmen... but carries on his Work" ( stain glass window that was located in St. Johns UMC 63108) donated by the "Ladies Aid" group. *time unknown
I used to pass this window at St. Johns as I came in for worship each week. I never really payed much attention to it really. I was more gravitated to the courtyard space between the Chapel, and Sanctuary. But really my experience at the St. Johns UMC, facility was much like a Baptism, a HUGE rush, and before I knew what had happened it was over.
I really began to visit MCCGSL in earnest around January of 2007. Nearly 10 years after I first visited. I used to live nearby, and was a regular (sporatic) visitor from 1997-2000.
I met this person named Daniel McCree around Christmas time, and while I was in a happy 6year relationship- This was truly the SPIRIT OF GOD grabbing me, and told me very clearly... one of the exact words kinda of Spirit telling....
" You are supposed to know this person the rest of your life." but I also knew this was not intended to change the relationship I was in. And thus began the friendship, that was an embodiment of GODS LOVE, as pure as it comes.
Our freindship continued, even though the situation really fell from the sky. But we were both very Christ oriented and really felt in our heart that this was Divine. Daniel was on a spiritual quest of a driven inspiration. He was a man on a mission, and had a clear direction (which changed from minute to minute)... invariably :) He was a COMPELLER, compelling those around him into action. For the betterment of themselves and the world surrounding them.
Daniel struggled Greatly, on many battlefronts. He was in the midst of a four theatre WAR.
He stuggled with his health, nearly dying in 2003 from HIV, and coming back to living a healthy lifestlye. He kicked a nasty drug habit with meth, and truly lived in ways that most of us who call themselves "Christ- like" would envy. He was an embodiment of Christ. Giving his own foodstamp money to feed his neighbors, and picking up homeless people, and giving them a warm place in his own small apartment. He was the food and homeless shelter both! In fact Tonji (Tonya) became a fixture who stayed in his place even after his death. oops. I spilled the TEA.
The biggest struggle in Daniel's life, was LOVE. Being in love, loving, being loved, God love, Loving God, Or Could God?.... yes, Daniel struggled around the Grace of God. He had truly lived his live, in many ways. not always within his best potential. (read more at http://www.danielmccree.org/ )
Daniel insisted I should become active at MCCGSL. He himself, lived in Belleville, IL, without a car, and walked three blocks to the MetroLink train station, then rode the train west for 45min. Ariving a full MILE south of church, where he would walk to St. Johns UMC. More times than not, arriving at least 10min into services. "Never a reason not to come" he would say. This same advice got me to choir practice this past week, when I was late leaving work.
Okay, Im getting to my long drawn out POINT, YES THERE IS A POINT TO ALL OF THIS--
Daniel passed away in July 2007, around the time we found out that St. Johns was closing. We held his funeral at St. Johns, and suddenly the kid that always made fun of the "older people's" attachment to churches, found myself a grown adult, still ripe with grief-- and facing in what seemed like only weeks, the certaintly of leaving the CWE location. I still miss sitting in that courtyard, as Daniel and I used to smoke a cigarette after church there, and enjoy some quiet time together.
I was so incredibly blessed by God to have known Daniel, and God truly lead me through the experience. Ironically, I always knew to say everything to Daniel, and not hold anything back. For somehow I knew time was not something we would be afforded much of. I really had no idea he would commit suicide while in Miami, although I must admit to myself, my spirit may have known more than it lead on. If you were to go back and read the emails I sent to him on the final days of his life, one would not have to stretch the imagination that I felt the storm was coming. Daniel had some spiritual abilities, I will never understand. It was much as if he had a direct line to God. We somehow always had the ability to understand each other, without talking much. We just did. and we spent a lot of time, exchanging emails. In fact we may not see each other but maybe twice a week, as he was a full-time art student at SWIC.
So My point is, I simply want to give some Credit to my beloved Daniel McCree, for it is in his spirit, that the website of The Hope and Help Center came to be. When I was creating Daniel's website, it was as if he was sitting on my shoulder telling what to put where, and specifically what songs to put on his playlists. (still does sometimes) When I was asked to do the website for THE HOPE AND HELP CENTER, I heard Daniels voice tell me DO IT!... so I began a time of prayer and relfection, for guidance. What to a visitor of the website seems like a daunting task, was truly a labor of Love, and much like Daniel's website, I felt the spirit really lead me through the initial stages of its development. Still today, the sprit leads- other members contribute greatly to the Center.
"God Buries His Workmen... but carries on his Work" ( stain glass window that was located in St. Johns UMC 63108) donated by the "Ladies Aid" group. *time unknown
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