Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
My older brother introduced me to David Bowie and his counter-culture music when I was way too young to appreciate it. Bowie was definitely a commercial success with many of his songs--but commercial/financial success was not his motivating factor. He was driven by his creativity. He continually re-invented himself all through his life and career. David Bowie was not afraid of changing his life. One of his most popular songs is called "Changes," and one line goes: Turn and face the strange ch-ch-changes...
Well...I thought we were getting pretty good at facing the changes through all of this crazy COVID-19 crisis. We've adapted to government rules and orders, and the bishop's recommendations, and social distancing. But we're not done yet! A friend reminded me today that this is a marathon, not a sprint. If we sprint, we just get tired--and then we may not have the energy to do the ministry God is calling us to do.
I have embraced the ministries of keeping in touch with each other as a congregation, and being sure people stay fed through Hope's and Grace's Kitchens and the Good Samaritan Food Bank. I was pretty sure food-insecurity ministry was my purpose in all this. I just wasn't thinking broadly enough. While we work to feed people in Cortez, many of our neighbors are also struggling with illness and hunger.
As of Today, we (Native Grace Fellowship and First UMC) have been entrusted with acting on behalf of the Mountain Sky United Methodist Conference to offer support to Navajo Nation households in need of food and basic supplies. The Mountain Sky Conference Disaster Relief committee is sending $15,000 to purchase supplies and arrange for delivery to elders and families with young children who are unable to sustain themselves during this time of stay-at-home orders and curfews on the Navajo Nation. An additional $2,500 is pledged from the Committee on Native American Ministries.
Native Grace Fellowship will take the lead for this project. They will identify items most needed, and work with the Chapter Houses to identify individuals and families most in need. We will then order those supplies and have them delivered to our church, where volunteers will sort them into relief boxes. Through Native Grace volunteers, the boxes will be delivered to homes on the Southeastern Utah part of the reservation. The men who have been sheltering in place at the Bridge Shelter have already enthusiastically volunteered to help as a thank you for Hope's Kitchen providing them with food during this time.
My disaster relief experience is in cleaning up floods and rebuilding after tornadoes, so this will be a new one for me! A new experience for all of us, actually. Turns out there are lots of different kinds of disasters. But only one required response: "How Can I Help?" We've been given the answer to that question and a good deal of funding to make it happen. Please PRAY for Pastor Norman Mark and for me and for Remetha (the money manager) as we work together to get this project moving. And pray that through our loving actions, the Dineh people may see God's love for them shining through us!
I will keep you posted regarding plans and how you can help. For now...just pray for our sanity and good decision-making!
Prayer Requests: for all people who are working at "essential" jobs that allow the rest of us to be safe and well; for government leaders making decisions--so that all people are protected from both medical and economic harm; for Loretta Booth with continuing heart issues; for Connie White, recovering from pneumonia (her COVID test was negative);
for Sharon Porter and everyone whose coronavirus diagnosis is keeping them apart from the ones they love.
Isaiah 43:14, 18-19
The Lord your redeemer, the holy one of Israel, says,
Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history.
19 Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.
Well...I thought we were getting pretty good at facing the changes through all of this crazy COVID-19 crisis. We've adapted to government rules and orders, and the bishop's recommendations, and social distancing. But we're not done yet! A friend reminded me today that this is a marathon, not a sprint. If we sprint, we just get tired--and then we may not have the energy to do the ministry God is calling us to do.
I have embraced the ministries of keeping in touch with each other as a congregation, and being sure people stay fed through Hope's and Grace's Kitchens and the Good Samaritan Food Bank. I was pretty sure food-insecurity ministry was my purpose in all this. I just wasn't thinking broadly enough. While we work to feed people in Cortez, many of our neighbors are also struggling with illness and hunger.
As of Today, we (Native Grace Fellowship and First UMC) have been entrusted with acting on behalf of the Mountain Sky United Methodist Conference to offer support to Navajo Nation households in need of food and basic supplies. The Mountain Sky Conference Disaster Relief committee is sending $15,000 to purchase supplies and arrange for delivery to elders and families with young children who are unable to sustain themselves during this time of stay-at-home orders and curfews on the Navajo Nation. An additional $2,500 is pledged from the Committee on Native American Ministries.
Native Grace Fellowship will take the lead for this project. They will identify items most needed, and work with the Chapter Houses to identify individuals and families most in need. We will then order those supplies and have them delivered to our church, where volunteers will sort them into relief boxes. Through Native Grace volunteers, the boxes will be delivered to homes on the Southeastern Utah part of the reservation. The men who have been sheltering in place at the Bridge Shelter have already enthusiastically volunteered to help as a thank you for Hope's Kitchen providing them with food during this time.
My disaster relief experience is in cleaning up floods and rebuilding after tornadoes, so this will be a new one for me! A new experience for all of us, actually. Turns out there are lots of different kinds of disasters. But only one required response: "How Can I Help?" We've been given the answer to that question and a good deal of funding to make it happen. Please PRAY for Pastor Norman Mark and for me and for Remetha (the money manager) as we work together to get this project moving. And pray that through our loving actions, the Dineh people may see God's love for them shining through us!
I will keep you posted regarding plans and how you can help. For now...just pray for our sanity and good decision-making!
Prayer Requests: for all people who are working at "essential" jobs that allow the rest of us to be safe and well; for government leaders making decisions--so that all people are protected from both medical and economic harm; for Loretta Booth with continuing heart issues; for Connie White, recovering from pneumonia (her COVID test was negative);
for Sharon Porter and everyone whose coronavirus diagnosis is keeping them apart from the ones they love.
Isaiah 43:14, 18-19
The Lord your redeemer, the holy one of Israel, says,
Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history.
19 Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness.
Lord, our Redeemer, Holy One of Israel--show us how to make a way in the desert and paths in the wilderness until all of your people have what they need to survive. Amen.
Peace and all good,
Pastor Jean
Today's sign of Springtime Hope--from Al Gram:
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