Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Last Sunday, February 28 while I was at my desk here in my office connecting to all who were online for the 8:00 worship service, my phone beeped and up popped these pictures saying 14 years ago today. The pictures were of our first Adult work Team to Picayune, Mississippi! We were there through UMCOR to help survivors of hurricane Katrina. What a surprised blessing to see those pictures! We all came together, to help others in need. Some of us were blessed and were able to go, others helped by contributing to help donate for needed supplies and everyone held us and those we were helping in prayer. We were so blessed to be a blessing to others, and I know that everyone on that team felt it was an amazing experience. I personally can hardly wait to go on another trip, which I hope will be next spring. We have sent 11 Adults teams all over the US to help with long term disaster relief and a few of one day local trips to help clean up after fires. Looking at these pictures brings back great memories; we were so much younger then and some of these folks have passed on to the next life. I have always thought that when we are helping others, we are being our best self, and that we are blessed far more than the folk that we are helping. I treasure all the teams that I have been able to be a part of and I hope to once again be able to be a part of many more teams to come. Sunday, March 14 is UMCOR Sunday, it is a time when all UM churches come together to help collect funds for the administrative piece of the UMCOR. It’s the larger church being its best. UMCOR funding has been down lately, so if it is possible for you to contribute to the administration and overhead cost by writing a check to CUMC and putting UMCOR Sunday in the memo that would be a huge blessing.
Gracious and Loving God, create in us a heart that is open to hear the call of others needs and give us the courage to act on those needs. Help us to be the caring listening and non-judgmental ear or the person who just calls to say hello and check in with others. Help us to realize that we can help others in so many ways and that when we are caring for people that we don’t even know we are truly living into whom you are calling us to be and bringing your kingdom here on earth. Amen
Stay well, stay safe and be the hope you wish to see in the world. Hugs, Suzanne