Thought-provoking Bonhoeffer Quote

While doing my devotions this morning I came upon this thought-provoking Bonhoeffer quotation. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his Letters & Papers From Prison, pp. 382-383, shared a vision of the church, which he had hoped to put forth in another book. This vision, in my humble opinion, is still as fresh and pertinent for us today as it was back in the 1940s when Bonhoeffer spent his last days in prison prior to his martyrdom.

“The church is the church only when it exists for others. To make a start, it should give away all its property to those in need. The church must share in the secular problems of ordinary human life, not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell people of every calling what it means to live in Christ, to exist for others. It must not under-estimate the importance of human example (which has its origins in the humanity of Jesus and is so important in Paul’s teaching); it is not abstract argument, but example, that gives its word emphasis and power.”

Weird Church Bulletin Announcements

Over the years, I've come across some rather weird and eccentric church bulletin announcements. Recently my wife had some time off and visited a parish, which I won't name, and discovered this announcement:

Health Ministry Notice - "Comfort Boxes"

If you are feeling ill during the service and need a quiet place to rest or wait for an ambulance, a Comfort Box is located in the vestments closet in the Vestry. There is also a Comfort Box located in the entryway to the Parish Hall.

I'm left scratching my head as to what this announcement is actually communicating. First question, which may seem rather ignorant, but here goes: What's a Comfort Box? Second question: Does the announcement imply that Worship Services are bad for your health? I know that Worship Services can be dangerous in that they convict us of sin and work repentance and motivate us to a deeper, risky faith active in love, which leads to a cruciform lifestyle. However, I also believe that Worship Services are good for your health and bestow countless measures of hope, and joy, peace, goodwill, and love to those who attend often. Dear readers, what do you think? I'd appreciate it if you'd leave a comment.