Dear Friends,
“Go, you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” These were the last words of Jesus before he was lifted up into heaven. It is the call for all Christians to Go and be a witness of Christ’s life for the world. It is the emphasis in Mathew of making “disciples”. It is about sharing the good news to whoever is near us and to those far away. In the last month our church and our Annual Conference have been making decisions about those to whom we are called to be a witness.
At the May 26th Administrative Council meeting we discussed and renewed our commitment to actively support the ministry of the Ann Street School. It is one of our missions. I know ten families from the Ann Street School that have become involved in our congregation. Other people have received support and counseling through Ann Street School. We talk about ways to attract new people to our church while every day 20 – 30 families come here to attend the Ann Street School. Make yourself known to them, learn their names, pray for them. Support their fund-raising projects, especially the Scholarship Fund. Tell others with preschoolers about our school and our church. Volunteer to help: There is a sign-up sheet in the office. Be a friend/ make a friend.
Our festivals used to be just money-making endeavors. They provided needed funds to supplement our church budget. Now they are very obviously becoming a form of ministry. Remember this at the June Festival. Meet people, tell them about your church and its ministries. Sit and talk. If appropriate pray for folks. I think of one person with whom I have prayed at almost every festival for the past 5 years. I also ministered to her at the time of her husband’s death. She still seeks me out for prayer at each Festival.
AA is an anonymous group, yet some folks are here every day and don’t mind being introduced by first name. We also have a few people who have become active in our church through AA. Some help out at activities and others have been helped through counseling and prayer. One in particular came to me after several years, apologized for her negative behavior in her past and thanked us for our prayers and support over her years to recovery.
The Ecumenical Food Pantry & our Outreach Program are other local missions. People who are experiencing difficult times often have to choose between paying bills and buying food. We help with emergency needs for local families throughout the year and provide holiday food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Other mission projects in the greater world include our Conference benevolent giving, special communion offerings, contributions to Gene Hamilton’s ongoing work in New Orleans, and support of our missionary, Nancy Delaney. For the next three years our Conference will be emphasizing support of the North Katanga Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We had two men from that Annual conference visit Milford UMC last year and there may be a Conference mission trip to North Katanga in the coming year. They are in desperate need of wells for clean drinking water. This area has been torn by war for over a decade and last week an ABC news team reported the abuse of children in that area who are being labeled by disreputable Christians as demon-possessed.
The readings from Matthew 28:16,
“then the disciplines went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go “
and Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
clearly tell us to make disciples of all people beginning in Jerusalem (the place where we are). Let’s look for these opportunities with all people.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Dave
