The Storyteller Tells a Story of Faith…
Matthew 25:35-40 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” NIV
Jesus tells us to take care of the hungry and poor, the children and the widows – all who need our help in one way or another. Unfortunately, a lot of churches these days – ours included – don’t have an extensive budget for missions, so when a need arises, who do we call? Why Patti Hughes (B), of course!
Patti chairs the Missions Committee which is made up of members of both Barnitz and Mt. Zion churches. The committee’s job is to be aware of needs that come into the churches and decide how best to help those who request our help. Each request is processed with great thought and consideration. Whether the request is for a bag of groceries to help feed a family until payday or assistance with rent, the Committee determines how they can help best. At times help is in the form of gift cards or checks to utility companies, but whatever the need, the Committee members will look for a way to help. It is amazing what they do with the limited funds they have at their disposal.
Christmas especially is a time of the year where help is most requested. Supplying warm coats and clothing for children at North Dickinson School is a primary concern. As children grow out of and wear through their clothing, new things are needed. For a family who is struggling with providing food and shelter, new clothing becomes a luxury. With help from the Missions Committee and the Barnitz congregation who help to shop, those children receive new warm clothing that will get them through the cold winter months. What a blessing this is for the children and their families!
Additional projects the Missions Committee has undertaken include:
- Funding for children to attend church camps
- Supporting a young lady from Columbia through Compassion International
- Providing a Valentine party for the children housed at the United Methodist Home for Children
- Helping to provide food for Salvation Army dinners
- Collecting food, cleaning supplies and gently used coats and blankets for Carlisle C.A.R.E.S.
- Providing donations to speakers from charitable organizations who speak at both churches
Galatians 5:13b-14 “…serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” NIV
Loving our neighbors is the goal of the Missions Committee. No matter what form the help takes, it is given freely and lovingly to those who need it. Perhaps the love that accompanies the assistance is just as important as the assistance itself.
Mission Possible – “Serve one another in love.”