“Anyone who has been in a church for more than ten minutes knows that one of the major reasons for a church’s existence is the care of its members. Every member of every church is called by God to offer care for one another. When I was a pastor, many decades ago, I was paid to offer such care; it was a definite part of my job. Well, I am no longer a paid pastor, but the giving of care remains my work as a Christian.
Such care may be given in myriad ways, and on August 30 in Helms Hall you will be shown some of those ways to demonstrate how you can offer the care that God has offered you. I readily admit that I would prefer to rely on what I already know about all this caring business, and just sit quietly somewhere and read a book while others of my church learn to hear and to participate in acts of caring. However, I plan to attend, because there is still much I do not know, and much I can experience about acts that nurture and support our members. Plan now to attend, and you will discover the rich resources and the pure joy of what it means to care one for the other. After all, there may well be someone in this church who needs you to care deeply and wonderfully for them. I will see you there!“
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TRAINING FOR CARE: BEING HEARD, BEING HELPED, BEING HELD
Sunday, August 30th (12-1:45pm) Helms Hall
From Pastor Diana – “Church is a great place to learn to be brave. And to learn how a big community of small groups like we have can be connected through care. Plans for this event have been in the works for several months, and this last week on our zoom with all the leaders, I was heartened by what direction they will be taking us. You are in good hands. Community building can be inconvenient, but the rewards of caring are great. As Jenniffer Duran-West said to us, quoting Steven Malcom Berg-Smith, “Expect and respect the unexpected.” Please sign up. Childcare is available through registration. Also as a bonus, we will have an excellent lunch supplied by Earle and Jane! See you there.” Please register to attend and indicate if you need childcare – click here. (Deadline is August 23rd).
