University Blog

The University Family...WOW!

Posted by Steve Ryan on

For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3:9

 

Friends, 

October 31, the highly anticipated Trunk or Treat was set to happen. We had watched the weather all day, and at 2pm the forecast drastically changed saying that all the rain, except for a chance of sprinkles, would stay north and east of us. We proceeded with our original plan, and at 4:30pm our 26 trunk sponsors showed up in the North Campus parking lot, with an additional four trunks! Great, we found room! Many other church members showed up and said, “How can I help?"

At 5pm the western sky darkened quickly, a small thunderstorm popped up over Medina Lake. My wife called me and said, “It is pouring in Helotes. What is your rain plan?” Before I could coordinate with Dawson to make an announcement, the skies opened up. Things changed quickly.

That is when our congregation acted. Few asked, "what can I do", most just did.  Without thinking they were moving tables full of food from the parking lot, up the stairs and into the north lobby– in a monsoon. Before a plan could be made, the entire right side of the gym was set up with tables and chairs– in less than 10 minutes! Others set up a trick or treat line that looped the perimeter of the gym. Several greeted guests still coming in from the rain, letting them know where everything was located. One member grabbed the golf cart and picked up visitors at their cars and brought them to the door, and then shuttled trunk sponsors to their cars so they could get more candy. 

We were scheduled to stop at 6:30pm, but people kept coming. We learned of social media posts in which people were looking for a dry place to trick or treat, and they were told to come to University. We stayed open until after 7pm, until we started running out of food. As we were cleaning up, other families drove up and we gave them candy through their window.


We estimated that we fed 850 people, and many others passed through our doors just for the festivities. As I thanked the people who helped as they left, almost all said, “I didn’t do much.” Because our church family worked together in their church home, we were able witness well to our neighbors. Out of all the craziness last night, I heard no complaints, but saw many smiles. Our only two casualties last night were an old broken table and a crushed canopy frame.

Last night, through an unpredictable, severe storm, I think God showed us how special our church family really is. God is good!  

I hope you will join us this Sunday for the All-Church Potluck, as this amazing community gathers together again to celebrate what God has done and look forward to what God has planned.

Blessings,

Steve Ryan

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