Earlier this year, before things were affected by the pandemic, my husband, Chris, and I were given tickets to the Broadway show, “Come From Away.” We highlighted the show as one of the 2019 St. Luke’s on Broadway selections, but just in case you missed it, the story is about how the town of Gander, Newfoundland received around 6,700 people when planes were diverted in the aftermath of 9/11. The sudden influx of people almost doubled the size of the town. The planes were international flights from all over that had been headed to the United States but forced to land elsewhere. The people of Gander immediately went to work in welcoming all of their unexpected guests. The show “Come From Away” explored the different relationships that developed between those from Gander and those from away. I was so impressed by the creativity of the show. The musicians are on stage with the set – and their music was woven into the story. It was a small cast with each actor playing different roles.
What I found particularly poignant and profound was that the actors would play characters who were from Gander and, at other times, play characters who had come from away. There is a real truth in the idea that the same person can play multiple roles. We are all more alike than we realize. Sometimes we’re the home team, other times the visitor. Sometimes we’re the one in need of help, at other times the one with the resources. At all times, we’re God’s children – and so is every single person in the world throughout history.
But, if we’re all part of God’s family and if we’re all so similar, why is it that we fight so much? There is a lot of evidence that we have forgotten to live like the people of Gander. The mayor of Gander during the time of 9/11 was Claude Elliott who stated, “What we consider the most simple thing in life is to help people. You’re not supposed to look at people’s color, their religion, their sexual orientation – you look at them as people.” His message isn’t that difficult to understand – love your neighbor, no exceptions.
As we have been loved by Christ, let us also love one another.
– Rev. Wendy Lambert, Senior Executive Pastor
