By JUDY KILGORE
jkilgore@thecitizennews.com

Well, I'm glad somebody finally noticed and did something. A few months ago, I received a fax informing me of a website called “barneyfife.com.” It is a series of Sunday school type lessons based on the old Andy Griffith show. I browsed the site, became fascinated with the concept, and passed the word on to a few friends. Apparently it fell upon deaf ears. No one started any classes...no one went back to Mayberry.

But, what a great idea! Who can forget the lessons taught in each of those episodes? The rich characters, each with his own quirks, but good to the bone, nevertheless? The show never professed to be Christian, per se, but the messages were always there. I still watch the show whenever it's on. TBS occasionally runs an Andy Griffith marathon—16 hours of nothing but Mayberry. I am in heaven.

But, getting to my point, the singles class at Braelinn Baptist has taken the ball and run with it. They started last Sunday and will continue for another seven weeks—Sunday school lessons based on the wisdom of Mayberry. You might want to check it out. The full story is on the preceding page.

And, speaking of lessons, I came across the following one several months ago. Rev. Sam Matthews of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church wrote it in his pastor's message in the weekly bulletin. Come to think of it, I can picture something like this happening in Mayberry. It's called, “What We Let Happen” and here it is:

“School has begun again. I spent a few minutes last week behind a school bus as it made its stops, letting out a variety of Fayette County's brightest and most beautiful! I grew up out in the country, several miles from the school I attended, so I know a lot about riding a bus home in the afternoons.

“Waiting behind the bus brought an old memory to mind. One afternoon (I was probably a fifth grader) I remember that one of my friends opened the emergency door and threw out some paper. We thought it was a grand thing to do and laughed heartily, but a driver on another bus saw us. Surely enough, early the next morning we saw him go into the principal's office and I knew that my friend was in trouble. We waited for the announcements over the intercom, sure that his name was to be called. It was and he was instructed to report to the principal's office. But imagine my surprise when MY name was called too, and I had to report along with him.

“I knew that I wasn't in trouble. I hadn't opened the door. I didn't throw out any paper. None of the paper had my name on it. I was clean. I was safe. I was innocent. Or so I thought. Imagine my surprise when (the principal) told me he was surprised at me, ashamed of me, and how he expected better of me. He was sure that my parents would be surprised and ashamed too. But I defended myself! I didn't do anything. I didn't throw, I didn't open, and I didn't laugh. And I'll never forget his words. `But, Sammy, you let it happen.'

“A whole new world of responsibility opened for me when I learned that I was responsible not only for what I did, but also for what I let happen. Think about it sometime. Not even half of our congregation worships here each week, and you and I let it happen. A good number of the people around us lead lonely and desperate lives, and you and I let it happen. People around us do not get comforted and visited and some children around us do not see faithful role models. And you and I let it happen.

“I don't mean to lay a `guilt trip' on you, but to remind you that Christians need to be more proactive. We need to reach more, involve ourselves more. Jesus said, `Go.' He didn't say, `Sit.'”

That's a wonderful lesson, and it could have come right from the script of Mayberry. Instead of Sammy, can't you see Opie hanging his head in front of Miss Crump? And, later, in front of Andy and Aunt Bee? Powerful stuff, Sam. Many thanks for allowing me to share it.

Let's not let things happen. Do something. Until next time...keep the faith.

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