AN IGRC CHALLENGE FROM THE BISHOP
John Wesley is often quoted as saying, “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”
That my friends is the “spirit of Methodism!” United Methodist are gracious, caring and giving people. We support a variety of ministries that touch lives and offer support and help to an assortment of needs. Our commitment to generosity is one of the strengths of our denomination.
Allow me to issue a challenge to each of the IGRC churches. I invite you to host a special Sunday between now and the end of the year dedicated to helping community ministries. You pick the Sunday, you choose the project, you collect and distribute what is gathered.
Some of you will want to collect can goods to help stock a food pantry, some will want to collect blankets to be used by first responders, some will choose to collect back packs, and others will want to gather items that can be used to comfort someone that is grieving or sick. Of course, you can always bring items and funds for the OCOK campaign. The list of possibilities is endless.
My suggestion is to advertise what you are doing, set a realistic goal, invite folks to bring their items to worship, bless and consecrate the items on the altar and then distribute them to the places that have been selected.
I look forward to hearing that your church took the challenge. If you need ideas just call the Midwest Distribution Center. There are many ways to let folks know that we care.
Generosity is contagious, let’s start an epidemic!
Bishop Beard