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Lou leaned on his shovel. “I’m honestly not sure.”

“We could ask them though, couldn’t we?” Mary gestured at the church across the street from their church. “I mean they are out doing work around their church.”

“I don’t know.” Lou looked over at the people painting and cleaning. “I hear they do their service in Greek or some other language and I’m not sure what I would say.”

“I’m just glad that someone took over that building after the last congregation disbanded.” Mary sighed. “It was looking pretty run down.”

“True.” Lou rubbed his chin. “The last congregation who used it didn’t have anything to do with us though and I expect these folks will be the same.”

“I thought Pastor Jack said that their priest showed up at the ministerial.” Brenda emptied the soil in the wheel barrow where Lou and Mary had cleared the weeds. “So they must be friendlier than the last group.”

“Friendly is waving to someone you meet and saying hello,” Lou said. “That’s not the same as getting them to help us clear out the old bird nests in the rafters.”

“Well, I’m not climbing up the ladder,” Mary announced. “And before you say anything Lou, you are too old as well.”

“I could try.” Lou protested. “I’m not that old.”

Mary scoffed and turned to Brenda. “How are you with a ladder?”

“Not good,” Brenda said. “I suppose I could try...”

“No.” Mary brushed off her knees and started across the street. “I’m going to get some help.”

Lou sighed and followed with Brenda trailing behind him. The three men working on the church across the street saw them and the man with white hair came forward to meet them.

“Hello,” he said as he gestured for the other men to come down the ladders. “Your garden is looking wonderful.”

“Thanks,” Mary said. “I’m Mary, this is my husband Lou and our neighbor Brenda.”

“I’m Ivan and these young men are Victor and Stan,” the older man said. “Please come sit in the shade.”

“We don’t want to interrupt your work,” Mary said.

“Please,” Ivan said. “These two have been working hard and need a break.”

“Yes, thank you,” Victor said. “The scraping and painting is hot work. I’m almost sorry that we don’t have more old nests to take down from the rafters.”

Brenda looked at Lou and Mary. “Oh, you have them too?”

“We did,” Victor said. “Would you like some help getting yours down?”

“If you don’t mind,” Brenda said. “None of us are great with heights.”

“We would be pleased to help.” Ivan announced and the other two men nodded. “Please come, sit we have some iced tea and small cakes.”

The refreshments were poured and the cakes were shared quickly.

“These are wonderful,” Brenda said. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome.” Ivan said. “My wife made them and will be pleased I was able to share them with you. She has been suggesting that I go over and speak with you.”

“Really?” Mary said. “Was there some way we can help you?”

“Your gardens are lovely.” Ivan looked at the other two men from his church. “Would it be possible for you to look at the plants around the side of our church? We asked and there isn’t  anyone from our church who knows much about what will grow in this area.”

“Certainly,” Mary answered. “We’d be happy to help. We’re neighbors and all Christians.”

“Indeed. I also have something to ask a little more complicated and if you are not able that is quite alright.” Ivan paused. “We are new to the area and don’t want to give any offense.”

Lou tilted his head. “Well, I’m on the board of our church so I can pass along any requests you might have.”

“We are having a dedication service for this new building on Sunday and a reception at noon time.” Ivan cleared his throat. “We would be honored if you and your congregation would come to join us.”

Lou looked at Mary and Brenda who nodded. “Our service is over before then and we’d be pleased to come. I’ll pass the word to the other members.”

Ivan broke into a wide grin. “Many thanks. It will make our gathering that much more special.”

“We’d be honored.” Lou said.

“Thank you.” Ivan took a drink from his glass. “We weren’t sure if your congregation would be interested or not. The place we were in before had a church nearby that wasn’t very friendly.”

“That’s awful,” Mary said. “We should support each other.”

“Indeed,” Ivan said. “My granddaughter who lives in the city reminded me that how we Christians treat each other is a witness to the wider community of what we believe about Jesus.”

Brenda nodded. “I know I ended up over at our church because when I was in the hospital and asked for a visit, the pastor came and saw me even though I wasn’t from his church. I never forgot that.”

The six continued to eat, drink, and enjoy each other’s company in the shade that afternoon and the church of Jesus Christ grew a bit larger as they came to see each other as sisters and brothers in Christ.