Prayer wall attracts community
Prayer wall attracts community
Prayer wall attracts community
The “Before I die ...” prayer wall at St. Marks United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, Tenn., draws people of all ages.
COURTESY ST. MARKS UMC, CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
I want to be cured” is written boldly in white on the black chalkboard wall outside St. Marks United Methodist Church in Chattanooga, Tenn. Prayers expressed as hopes and desires from people who want to live as if it is their last day fill the wall.
“We prayed about what we can do to reach out to the community,” says certified lay minister Carl Greene. “Then we came up with the ‘Before I die...’ wall.” Sparking the bucket-list wall was a cruise Greene took to Canada. On Prince Edward Island, he saw a wall filled with inspirational sayings. Some of the writings inspired Greene to do things himself.
Greene asked the congregation to create a “to-do” list. He wanted to motivate them to do what they had been meaning to do, but had not because of distractions. He urged them to follow the sentiments expressed in Tim McGraw’s song “Live Like You Were Dying” to value each moment and focus on things that matter.
Once the wall was mounted, St. Marks members grabbed the chalk and started writing their desires: “Forgive those who have hurt me,” “Want peace in my life and the world,” “Be a mom,” “Play more,” “Be cured of my disease,” “Buy a boat,” “I want to love more deeply” and others.
Passers-by can read the wall and be inspired to express themselves. Pieces of chalk are handy.
“This is a great way to connect people to God, “says Greene. “It’s constantly being used.”
AT A GLANCE
St. Marks United Methodist Church
701 Mississippi Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-267-5530
Pastor: Carl Greene
Average Attendance: 91
Holston Conference