To Poland with Love - Recalling the 1988 Mission during a Communist Era 3

 

Poznan Town Hall by Rev’d Paul Collings

Poznań Town Hall (Polish: ratusz w Poznaniu) is a historic city hall in the city of Poznań, Poland, located at the Poznań Old Town in the centre of Old Market Square. It used to serve as the seat of local government until 1939, and now houses a museum. The town hall was originally built in the late 13th century following the founding of the medieval city in 1253; it was rebuilt in roughly its present-day form, in mannerist style, with an ornate loggia, by Giovanni Battista di Quadro in 1550–1560.

Saturday 10th September 1988

1 Chronicles 19:2 “David thought, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.’”

Psalm 31:21 “Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.

Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”

From the Mayor’s office we moved to the Old Town outside the 13th century Town Hall. As the band marched into the square, crowds gathered round as we played and shared the gospel. Just imagine the surprise of a newly married couple as the bride and groom came down the steps of Town Hall following their marriage ceremony to the music of a Salvation Army Brass Band from the UK. I recall telling the band to turn to the March “It’s New” as I conducted the band. Although the significance was lost on the couple, it brought a smile to members of the band. 

Church folk from across Poznan including Evangelicals, Methodists and Baptists distributed gospels and leaflets announcing a gathering at the Philharmonic Hall. The Lt Colonel through our translator Tomaz, shared the scripture with the bystanders.

Following, our open air meeting, we marched around the square with crowds following. 

Another significant moment for me was the sight of an elderly gent with medals on his thread bare suit who came up to me as we marched and thrust a Zloty coin into my hands. In his broken English he wanted to thank the Army for their care during the War Years, where after the defeat of the Polish Army in 1939 he became part of the Polish forces attached to the British Army.  During this time he came into contact with the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Services who cared fir him.

Thought for today.

A simple Zloty thrust into the hand was not a repayment for a kindness done those years ago but something much deeper and lasting.  The fact I still recall that action in itself is testament to the lasting power of a kindness. N T Wright says “Kindness is the primary way of growing up as a human being, of establishing and maintaining the richest and deepest relationships.“

Just a fleeting gesture of kindness by an elderly Polish Gent, yes, but that act of kindness still rings in my heart and mind.

Questions.

1. What priority do I give to acting with kindness each day?
2. How willing am I to receive a kindness from another?
3. Could I commit to become an agent of holy kindness?

Lord, even when the world around us is swirling and broken, thank you for being true, kind, and a foundation to lean on. Life’s challenges can be overwhelming, and the difficult days are hard to handle. At the same time we know that your love is unlike any other. So today, we boldly and humbly approach you asking for your kindness to meet us. Tender Jesus, teach us to be like You in all our ways. Teach us kindness, gentleness, generosity, and to be giving, forgiving, loving and caring and follow in you humble footsteps. Amen

Tomorrow - The gathering in the Philharmonic Hall