Lost-and-Found Ministry Quietly Reunites Church Member With Bible Missing Since Last Easter

RIDGEVIEW — Volunteers serving in the lost-and-found ministry at Ridgeview Church celebrated another successful reunion Sunday morning after returning a well-worn Bible that had spent nearly a year waiting on an otherwise unremarkable shelf outside the church office.

The Bible was discovered during the ministry’s monthly effort to sort through jackets, umbrellas, water bottles, children’s sweaters, and enough unclaimed casserole carriers to suggest several families had become surprisingly optimistic about remembering them.

Inside the front cover was a handwritten name.

“Well, that makes this easier,” volunteer Karen Willis said.

Within minutes, she spotted the owner walking toward the sanctuary.

“I’ve been wondering where this disappeared to,” he said, accepting the Bible with a grin. “I bought another one months ago.”

Karen smiled.

“Then I guess now you have two.”

The exchange prompted several nearby members to wander over and inspect the shelves for themselves.

One man reclaimed a travel mug he had been replacing every few months.

A young family found a missing children’s Bible tucked behind a stack of coats.

Someone else recognized a pie carrier that had quietly attended far more worship services than its owner.

By the end of the morning, the shelves looked noticeably emptier than they had an hour before.

“We don’t really do anything remarkable,” Karen said while straightening the remaining items. “We just keep things around long enough for people to remember they’re looking for them.”

At press time, Harold Beam paused beside the nearly empty shelves before closing his notebook.

He noticed a single black umbrella still leaning patiently in the corner.

“It must belong to someone faithful,” he said. “It’s here almost every Sunday.”