Jeff explained to me, “One of the young ladies in our congregation has a problem that we, as a group, might help her with. Her name is Elaine. She is a single mother with two young children and works full-time as a machine operator at the textile mill on the outskirts of town.”
WA R C O U N C I L A Time To Serve by Craig Ruhl War Council is a work of fiction created by Craig Ruhl. This month we are pleased to present Chapter Three of War Council, A Time To Serve. Look for continuing chapters in future issues. Craig’s bio appears at www.faithoneverycorner.com/ meet-our-contributors.html War Council is copyrighted by Craig Ruhl 2020, all rights reserved.
The phone rang early, just as I was about to leave the house. On the other end of the call was Pastor Jeff from the First Methodist Church in Millville. He sounded breathless and agitated as he told me what the call was about. “Slow down a bit, Jeff. Take your time and tell me what is wrong,” I said. I could hear a deep breath and then a few seconds of silence. “Skip, I am calling the guys of the War Council because a friend of mine has a situation and needs some help right away. I know you are new to the group, but I was sure that you would want to be told of an opportunity to be of help.” I answered, “Sure, I do, Jeff. What is going on?” 20 | ON M AG A Z I N E N ACORNER ME FAITH EVERY
“Skip, her car needed to be towed into the repair shop this morning. She got a ride to and from work, but it looks like the car will need expensive repairs and I don’t think it is worth fixing. She can’t afford a down payment on a replacement, so she is in a real bind. It is a battle in which she needs reinforcement.” “How can we help?” I asked, “I am concerned for your friend Elaine, but I am also excited for an opportunity to work with the group in helping someone in need. Is this something the War Council should meet and discuss how we can help?” Jeff agreed and said that he would contact as many of the guys as possible and ask them to meet us at the roundtable in about an hour. When I arrived at the Millville diner, there were three men seated with Pastor Jeff. Kris, the server, was filling coffee cups and taking orders if anyone wanted something to eat. I recognized Gabriel Miller, the farmer, and Nick Turner, the fellow who ran a non-profit organization in town. The third man didn’t look familiar, and I didn’t think we had met. Once I sat down, Jeff introduced me to Kirk Martin who owns a used car lot just a few miles out of town. I shook his hand and mentioned that it seemed a little too coincidental that he appeared at the time a car problem was being discussed. All of us at the table got a chuckle out of that. Jeff opened the conversation, saying, “Skip, thanks for coming. We all got here a little before you and I have already filled everyone in on Elaine’s situation and what her immediate needs are.”
