Linda Johnson, Associate Pastor

sometimes we are brought face-to-face with the reality that not all activities and resources here are widely known. We do better with the spectacular and occasional acts of ministry than we do with those things that go on routinely and quietly. I want to talk about a few of those.
    
The Congregational Care Ministry Team has been building a lending library for a few years now. It is located in my office, and I occasionally give out books with the hope that they will be helpful in times of hospitalization, cancer, Alzheimer’s, caregiver needs, grief, or various life stresses. If they are returned, then they can be loaned out again; but if they are kept, it is with the hope that they are needed and serving a good purpose. There are also racks in two locations in the church, the foyer and on Thomasson Hall near the 21st Avenue door, which contain pamphlets called CareNotes. They cover such topics as “Finding God in Pain or Illness,” “Five Ways to Get through the First Year of Loss,” “Ten Helps for an Alzheimer’s Family.” These are to be taken and kept or passed on. Congregational Care hopes to provide resources for anyone in need of support and understanding, so please let me know if you are interested.
    
Faith Companions is a group of people who meet regularly for continued learning on how to take church to people who can no longer attend services but who wish to continue growing in their faith. We read and discuss books about how to offer spiritual friendship to people confronting faith challenges as they deal with pain, loneliness, a need to tell their story, grieve their losses, and to summon the confidence of faith as they prepare for their journey toward God’s eternity. These deeply rich visits, our learning, and sharing enrich our own faith as we journey together with them.
    
Did you know that the United Methodist Women collect soup labels and box tops to benefit the Red Bird Mission? Red Bird, a United Methodist mission, is in one of the poorest sections of the mountains in eastern Kentucky and operates a school and medical clinics. Money received from the redemption of these labels pays for much-needed equipment and supplies, including vans. Just by clipping the UPC section along with the Labels for Education symbol, you can make a significant contribution. Place them in the designated box on the receptionist desk near the chapel. So, start collecting CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS and GENERAL MILLS BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION, including Kleenex tissues, Pepperidge Farms, Prego, V8, and other Campbell’s products.
    
These are just a few of many quiet and faithful ministries taking place in and through this congregation. While the people behind these ministries are largely unheralded, they continue to participate with God’s coming kingdom.