What does the Lord require but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

Certainly saints cannot be ordinary. Or can they? When I was asked to think of an ordinary saint, Kay McClure immediately came to mind. Kay is by no means ordinary but I consider her a saint. Not the pious, praying kind of saint but the serving kind of saint. She is the one who can always be counted on in time of need, does not wait to be asked, and expects nothing in return.

For more than fifteen years I have watched Kay as she led mission trips, ministered to the sick, comforted those in need, advocated for immigrants, cared for an aging parent, and provided meals, hospitality and housing for many mission friends. Kay has served as Parish Nurse, Deacon and Ruling Elder at First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg.

Her latest example of service was as a member of the Good Neighbor Team spending every day for a week helping prepare an apartment, then greeting a refugee family at the airport. The tired and hungry family of five, who had traveled all the way from Tanzania, were welcomed with snacks and a soft cuddly animal for each child.  At the end of the ride to their new home the only things remaining were the banana peels, the smile on Kay’s face, and the moisture in her eyes.

Pat Tatham

About the Contributor

Pat Tatham is a Ruling Elder and Chair, Ministry of Mission at First Presbyterian. Pat has been a member of FPC Spartanburg for fifteen years, is a retired public accountant, and serves on local and international non-profit boards.