The Next Time Someone Complains about Giving Money to the Church for Mission

Today CNN announced the results of its investigation of charities. To see the 50 worst, go to
http://www.tampabay.com/americas-worst-charities/?hpt=hp_t1.

I think some of these will surprise you. But do you see any from the United Methodist Church or any other denominational agency for that matter? The answer is no.

The church may not have glitzy ads or tear-jerking pictures on TV, but when we give our money to the United Methodist World Service fund or United Methodist Committee on Relief, for example well over 90% if not 100% of the money goes directly where needed. This beats the puny percentage that goes from many other charities.

So when someone complains about the church and then turns around and gives money to one of these charities, please direct them to the CNN link.

I just came from our UM Annual Conference, where we talk and debate over how much we can afford to give to missions, where the average member gives only about 2-3% of their income to the church. If we committed ourselves to really supporting mission with our tithes (10%), think what we can do.

Grace and Peace,
Kathy

How Was Your Annual Conference?

Our Annual Conference concluded yesterday and it actually was pretty good this year. Of special note were the worship services. This year we also have a new bishop, and what a difference it makes when the bishop is accessible and open.

This year we were all invited to help package meals for Stop Hunger Now. So after the Tuesday afternoon session, about 240 of us assembled in the Fellowship Hall. It was great fun and knowing that the food would be going directly to people in need was priceless. We plan to host a similar event at our church. At conference, we packaged over 20,000 meals for 6 people, so food for 120,000 people in about one hour. Check them out at www.stophungernow.com

Another highlight were the God stories. These short videos show ordinary people telling how God has acted extraordinarily in their lives. It was especially inspiring if you knew any of the people, which I did. If you need or want inspiration go to www.god-story.org  Also check them out on YouTube.

We also had our annual spouse lunch at Conference. It was fun to see folks and catch-up.

So often we lament that Annual Conference is irrelevant to our churches. If we have more Conferences like this one, we'll have to change our tune.

Grace, Kathy
Tennessee Annual Conference

Needed: Christian Business People

A friend works for a major communications business here in our city. The company is also noted for treating its employees unjustly. For no apparent reason, with no warning, the company decided to shuffle its teams. People would stay on the same team, maybe, but the teams themselves would be retrained for new jobs. This was ok with my friend, as he has been through many company reorganizations, and he is very open to learning new things. But in mixing things up, the changes include changing everybody's hours. So there is a chance that a person might work any time, for the standard 8 hours, anywhere from 8 am and 10 pm. Can you imagine what havoc that will heap on employees and their families? And it's not like there is a choice about overtime--you take it if told to. What makes this especially difficult is that many employees commute great distances to work. Parking is costly, so people carpool whenever possible. Then there are issues regarding daycare and caring for children.

In addition in my friend's group, there are a number of people who are almost at retirement, and they see the company changes as a means the company is using to get them to quit. Believe me, this accusation is based on many previous experiences.

What is unjust is that employees see no recourse and they feel that they are being treated as disposable commodities--not faithful, hardworking people who want to contribute to the company goals.

I have to wonder, who runs this company? And why are they grinding their people into the ground? Surely, they are not Christian. We all want business to be profitable, but isn't part of being profitable, having employees who feel like they have a stake in the well-being of the company and who feel that their work matters?

My dad owned a small business, so I know all about the need for profit. But a successful business makes more than money. It makes people's lives better for working there. Surely that is part of the work ethic and a way that we live out our Christian faith. Maybe we just need more business people who live Monday through Friday like what they profess on Sunday.

Grace, Kathy

  

No Local only Global Churches

In Sunday's services, we prayed for all the people we have who are currently on mission trips. Some are youth; some are young adults; some are adults. We have an average worship attendance of about 350 people each Sunday in three services, so our church is not huge. And it wasn't long ago that, like many churches, the only mission trips were yearly treks by our youth.

But times have changed. This year we have folks going to Africa, Costa Rica, Guatemala but also Camp Barnabas, outside of St. Louis. And the youth will also do a week of local mission in our county later this summer.

As United Methodists our focus has always been on practical divinity; that is, making daily living better. We take the long view of mission work, but we don't neglect the short term either. We firmly believe that preaching the message of Christ also involves making sure people are healthy, well-fed, and educated, and living with dignity and justice. We know that the first priority of a hungry person is food for themselves and their families, so when preaching the Gospel, we also provide meals. And of course there is UMCOR--disaster relief.

As the United Methodist Church we are in mission around the world, but as congregations we are increasingly making a global impact by sending out our local people to places that the UMC may not be able to go.

It is a truism that through the Internet, each church has a global footprint. But we are also sending out more local missionaries each year making a global witness.

We are proud that we have Christian witnesses serving around the world. As you may know, there are more martyrs today than ever, so we should not take sending these people into a hostile world lightly. They are serious Christians who are putting their faith into practice and on the line; and we can all be strengthened by their commitment.

How many people is your church sending forth in mission?

Grace, Kathy

Missing Matisse....and God

Today I visited a home built in 1904, which I have admired from the street for decades. The home, part of a Home Decorator's charity event for a local hospital, was built by  Kurt Vonnegut's grandfather. The Vonnegut family is long established in Indianapolis. I was exited  to see the interior of this stately home.  

The decorators filled the three stories with many furnishings which looked a little out of place considering  the original floors, fireplaces, elaborate woodwork around hallways and stairs remained. I was more intrigued with the  designs and patterns appearing in the hardwood floors which varied from room to room. 

I carefully followed the arrows directing the visitors, but  almost missed an original Matisse painting located on an inner wall. I was thrilled. I don't think many noticed  because of the location. I took a few pictures while others walked around me captivated by couches, chairs, statues and vases.

Walking around my neighborhood later in the afternoon, I realized seeing the Matisse was the highlight of the tour. I am so lucky I was not distracted by the furniture and other decorations. I reflected further how seeing the famous painting was a metaphor for life with God.

How many times am I distracted by my "to do" list that I neglect a simple act of kindness, like holding open the door for the person behind me or greeting the cashier at the store? How often do I miss a rainbow in the sky or other signs  reminding me of God's presence? Do I let myself 'do one more thing' before I settle into daily meditation and prayer?

God, I ask that when I travel through my day, keep me ever alert to how you might appear in another person or in the natural world or on the radio or in an encounter. I want to receive all you offer me each day.  Amen.

Jacquie Reed  

Fishers, Indiana