(Left) Beryl Clarkson shares the story of Hilda Rollinson (right), who demonstrates to others at Leeds South Church of the Nazarene about the importance of giving to missions.
Rollinson raises some of her Alabaster offering by asking visitors to her home to drop in a few coins.
During a recent Alabaster Sunday at the Leeds South Church, British Isles South District, it was time for the opening of the Alabaster boxes in the morning service. People were invited to walk to the front to open their boxes into a large Alabaster box.
A young gentleman walked halfway down the sanctuary aisle to a small, elderly woman sitting toward the back of the church. She took his arm and, with a walking stick in the other hand, made her way slowly to the front of the church where she stood patiently in line, waiting to open her box. When her turn came, she opened her box with a huge smile on her face, pouring the box’s contents into the large Alabaster box. She then turned and, with the help of the young gentleman, returned to her seat, still smiling.
Hilda Rollinson was faithful in her giving to global mission, including the Church of the Nazarene’s annual Alabaster offering. She set an example to those around her of the meaning of Alabaster: A love gift given joyfully.
When Rollinson was a young woman, she contracted rheumatic fever; the doctor told her parents she would not have a long life. Two years ago, when she reached 100 years of age, she received a card of congratulations from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. On 10 August this year she will celebrate her 102 birthday.
South Leeds Church of the Nazarene is her home church. Rollinson is one of the friendliest people you could ever wish to meet; should someone new sit near her in church, she likes to make them welcome and invites them to have fellowship over tea and coffee.
Throughout her long life she has always had a love of people, demonstrated by the fact that she and her late husband fostered many children during their marriage together.
Perhaps it follows naturally that Rollinson is passionate about missions.
“When we built our church and later the extension, we were given Alabaster money to help with the cost,” Rollinson said. “I want to help others have the help we had. I give so that others may know Jesus.”
She has an unusual way of collecting money for her Alabaster box. She still lives alone and she asks visitors who use her bathroom to put a donation into the Alabaster box.
As well as giving to the work of missions, she has taken an active part when the church started a compassionate ministries program for those suffering with addictions. Rollinson was one of the first volunteers serving tea and coffee to our guests. She was then in her 90s.
Rollinson is a tiny lady with a BIG heart, an impish sense of humour and a huge love of her Lord.