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NEIGHBOR LOVE… |
Jesus said, “Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor
to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who
showed mercy on him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do
likewise.” Luke 10:37-38
Surely one of my greatest joys and privileges is distributing
One Great Hour of Sharing Funds on your behalf. Your response to
last year’s Tsunami was overwhelming. Your response to this
year’s hurricanes, along with other calamities, has been equally
inspiring.
To date, we have received $145,000 in contributions to our OGHS
Katrina / Rita (and now, Wilma) Fund. And thus far, we have
distributed the funds in these ways -- $19,000 to our Alabama
churches in care of the Cedarwood Community Church of Wetumpka,
AL; $5,000 to the Piney Woods School, one of our sponsored
mission projects located near Jackson, MS; $15,000 to the
Salvation Army and $15,000 to Habitat for Humanity’s “Home
Delivery Project.”
The Cedarwood Church’s efforts on your behalf have been
remarkable, and ongoing. But beyond the work of Cedarwood, and
continuing a practice begun in response to the events of
September 11, 2001, the Missionary Society has also been making
grants in aid available to other local churches and associations
as they respond to those affected by the hurricanes. Grants in
$1000 increments, reviewed by the Missionary Society, are being
made available to churches and associations nationwide who are
taking part in relief, rebuilding and resettlement efforts in
their communities.
Consider the following efforts by your sister churches, led by
the Holy Spirit, to respond to their neighbors in need: The
people of First Congregational Church of Plainfield, IL, are
sponsoring a member’s extended family as they struggle to
rebuild and return to their lives in Mississippi. The people of
Fourth Congregational Church of Chicago, with others in their
community, are sponsoring a displaced family from New Orleans as
they try to make new lives in the area. A further effort of
providing transitional housing for Katrina/Rita families is also
being ventured by the members and friends of Peoples’
Congregational Church in Bayport, MN. In partnership with
neighbor churches – in a ministry they intend to carry on beyond
the challenge of the hurricanes – they will offer housing,
counseling and support to families seeking to relocate or return
to their homes “on a firm footing.”
As a National Association of Congregational Christian Churches,
we are limited in what we can do to respond to the particular
needs of local communities. To that extent, we are grateful for
the efforts of national and international agencies, and
especially grateful for the efforts of local, sister churches on
our behalf.
The point is, always, to meet our neighbor’s need with specific,
concrete actions that make real the love of God that Christ
reveals. That’s why One Great Hour of Sharing works! It enables
us to meet our neighbors’ need – globally, locally, personally
and effectively – when we trust ourselves, our gifts and our
churches to follow where the Holy Spirit leads. “Go and do
likewise.”Rev. John Carson,
Associate Executive Secretary
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