Janita Krayniak

“I love it when a plan comes together!”

The phrase attributed to John “Hannibal” Smith from the popular 1980s TV show — “The A Team,” sums up a feeling I had just recently. Let me take a moment to share a perspective on how God can do some pretty amazing things, especially when we are not even expecting it! (Oh, and you can stop humming the A Team theme song anytime now.)  

As a United Methodist pastor, I serve a multi-point charge of churches. Here in the Big Horn Basin, I serve the combined congregations of Powell FUMC/Union Presbyterian (Park County) and Lovell UMC (Big Horn County). This also means that I am privileged to serve the hospitals and care facilities in both Park and Big Horn counties. This story touches both counties, but originates at the New Horizons Care Center in Big Horn County. 

Can I wear a cross necklace? 

This was the question an elderly gentleman asked me on my way out the door one day after my visiting time was over. I said, “well sure, if you want to wear one, of course you can.” Another elderly gentleman in the common area heard the conversation and said, “I would like one, too.”

I then went on social media and asked if there was anyone in the Powell/Lovell area that might have a spare men’s cross necklace for these two gentlemen.  

No one replied, save one person who said, “I will buy them cross necklaces.”

I suggested plastic or wood for cost purposes. This person called a local artisan at Eternal Light who crafted a dozen of the most lovely wooden cross necklaces, and the donor handed them off to me to deliver to New Horizons. I gave them to the two gentlemen who had inquired about the necklaces and then gave them the other 10 to share as they saw fit. 

Alongside retired United Methodist Reverend Patricia Greffey (also a resident at New Horizons) they have created what they call the Bible Posse (after all, this is Wyoming). The crosses are not a requirement, but if any resident wants one, the Bible Posse gives them one. To date, they have given out all but one of the original 12 necklaces! The Bible Posse meets weekly to discuss the Bible and to pray. This is not any one denomination, but instead it is just a gathering of those who love God and seek to live in peace with one another as they grow in God’s grace. 

The crosses have accompanied at least one resident all the way to her death, serving as a simple, beautiful reminder that in the act of just being together we are all given the opportunity to be what I would call a living witness of God’s grace, love, mercy and compassion. It doesn’t take a fancy church building to create a sacred space for worship and witness to occur; it happens when two or more gather in the name of Jesus. 

A simple question … a generous donor … a group of committed Christians … across circumstances, age/physical disabilities and even the distance between two counties … and yet God is right there, in the midst of it all. Perhaps I could offer a slightly modified version of the A Team quote?  

I love it when God’s plan comes together!  

I just dropped off the second dozen crosses …

(Janita Krayniak is the pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Powell and United Methodist Church in Lovell.)