EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Within the groups of our church, we support financially or with volunteer hours such community programs as: Elijah’s Pantry, Teen Challenge, Top of the Bottom Ministries, Association of Christian Athletes, Loaves & Fishes, Boys Scouts of America, Richard’s Memorial Thrift Store, Washburn Center, Ronald McDonald House, HER Foundation, Safe Harbor, local hospitals & nursing homes, United Methodist Girl’s home, Angel tree, MOMs Club, free tax assistance through AARP, the Myrtle Grove Revitalization Group, the Neighborhood Watch, “Love” packages of literature to inner city churches, Bed Pads, Prayer Shawls and more!! We have answered the call of Martin Luther King, Jr. when he spoke of love & light. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” We can only drive out darkness and hate in our community and society if we combat it with the love of Christ.   

For a few weeks now I have been asking our members for reports of what they do in the community as families or individuals. I just wanted you to know how you are impacting the community we live in. I received responses from approximately 50 people. According to their numbers, they spend about 700 hours a month in this community. The responses included school mentors such as Pre-K Reading Pals, being scout leaders, volunteering at the local Head Start, working with the Lion’s Club, participating in walks for Autism, Cancer and Alzheimer’s,  participating in Human Trafficking Summits, working at thrift stores such as St. Vincent DePaul’s, Goodwill and Richard’s Memorial, Mission Fishin’, Reimagine, Water Boys, participating in the Sheriff’s Department Civilian Academy, building wheelchair ramps, serving food at Ronald McDonald house, working with the Genealogy Library and the Historical Society, tray favors to lift the spirits of patients at Baptist Hospital, fundraising to send patients to the Haji Shriner Burn Hospital, making stuffed bears for first responders to distribute to children, backpacks for people going into Favor House, Christmas cards to NAS,  HAM radio work with the Emergency Response system, docents at the Naval Air Museum, serving on boards for the Art’s Council, Wesley Foundation Board and other agencies, volunteering with the Symphony, Saenger and museums downtown, First City Arts fundraisers, Master Gardeners and those who teach classes to the west side through our programs on Wednesday Nights. These are just the ones who responded. I am sure there are many others. As individuals, you have chosen to visit hospitals and nursing homes and members of the community who may be suffering. We also have a few young volunteers who do lawn care and other tasks for disabled or senior members of our community. One of our Sunday School teachers tutors and mentors his student that is behind in school. One member even brings food to the fire houses once a month. Another packs bags with sandwiches, water and snacks and passes them out randomly to people and workers on the street. Some of you were interested in seeing what we are doing in our area to get inspiration for what you can do. Even if you cannot leave your home, you are not limited. Of course the number one thing you can do is to pray for others. You can also reach out to others with emotional support through letters, e-mails, social media and old fashioned phone calls.

So, my favorite MLK quote is “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” I am so proud to say that we are doing many and mighty things for others at MGUMC!

“¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ¹⁸ But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:14-18.