THE CHURCH AT ITS BEST
by SteveI had the privilege this morning of meeting Mr. and Mrs. Walter Winchell (yes, the name is famous, but they’re not THAT Winchell). You may have heard of them. Yesterday, they made a short trip from Union Grove to Wilkesboro, and while they were gone, their home burned to the ground. Two parents and three children suddenly homeless, their only possessions a car and the clothes on their backs. Right now they’re bunking in with relatives, but looking for a place to rent in our community.
What do they need? How can we help? The most pressing need right now is money. I was able to give them a check for $200 to help with immediate expenses. The money came from the pastor’s Discretionary Fund, money we budget annually to help people in our area. It was great to be able to do that, and the smile on their faces and the appreciation they showed were worth far more than it cost us.
If you would like to make a contribution to help this family, you can make your check to UGUMC, and mark it “Winchell Fund.” We will get the money to them, and it will be tax deductible to you. We’ll also be publishing a list of clothing sizes and other needs as we get them.
This is what it means to be the church of Jesus Christ. It is BEING his heart, hands, feet, and voice to everyone around us, especially those in need. Jesus reminded us, “To whom much is given, much shall be required.” We’re definitely in that category, so God has expectations of us. I’m confident that we will live up to them. SK
RSS
I have been following the blogs and have started to reply several times, but simply had to with this one. I had just finished reading “What Would Jesus Do” and jumped up to this one. I don’t think there is a better example of what Jesus would have us do! I am proud to be a member of a church that takes the example of Jesus to heart and works so diligently to be his hands on earth!
Kellene…may your tribe increase!
The Church at it’s best needs to read: The Community at it’s Best”.
I have been communicating with several folks for the past several hours today regarding the Winchell housefire. It lifts my spirit to be getting responses/replys from people I don’t even know ready to pull together to help these folks. Not only is our church out there helping, there are “others” out there with like spirits ready to help and contribute.
One e-mail I got concluded with the sentence: “God is in Control”. I responded that yes, God IS in control and WE are in control in how we react to life’s circumstances. How we react is our example!!
L
thanks for the reminder. I believe that God is ultimately in control, and the word “ultimately” is a crucial qualifier. To think otherwise is to believe, as many do, that everything that happens is God’s will, and that I cannot accept. You’re right, though…what we control is our attitude and actions in every crisis!
I have a girls service club at Statesville High. We would love to help. I don’t really want to ask for money but I could ask them to donate household items or clothing. Just let me know and we would love to help. There are about 40 active girls…we could do alot.
Maybe you could help with clothing for the daughters….
Katlin…size 12 jeans, shoes 6 1/2, shirts youth large.
Ruby…sweatpants lg, t shirts x lg, shoes 8 1/2
Thanks much for the offer…contact Judy at 539-5414 if you need more info!
Suzanna…Ruby is not a daughter, but the mother!