A
Message from Pastor Larry – September 2008
Dear Saints:
Well, summer has come to an end, the kids are in school, you're paying off the accrued debts from your vacations—and St. Matthew keeps rocking right along working diligently to carry out our mission here in Columbus and beyond.
Our Call Committee has been meeting regularly with the goal in mind of calling another pastor, whose gifts and passion will help us effectively reach our surrounding community with the gospel.
We're already doing this in some ways. You've heard me speak in the past, for instance, of Valley Interfaith Promise (VIP). Did you know that our congregation is a charter member of this organization? From the first time I met with a representative from the parent organization, Family Promise, and watched a video on the good work they do all over the nation, I thought to myself, "This is a ministry for St. Matthew!" Three years later I feel just as strongly that we are meeting an important need in our community through VIP as we reach out to house and support homeless families of all races as they endeavor to regain their footing and become productive members of society once again.
These people are not alcohol or drug addicts. There are many good organizations who work with such people, like the AA chapter here at St. Matthew, or Al-Anon (which also meets here). No, VIP works specifically with families who, for any number of legitimate reasons, have become homeless. Most organizations in town minister to homeless individuals, but few will take whole families. This is the gap VIP seeks to fill.
Did you know that your financial contributions and volunteer efforts in the last year have allowed Patsy Shackelford and her two children to find meaningful employment and purchase a new home? Your contributions have also made it possible for VIP to add a part-time case manager, Rosa Thomas, who assists with the growing need of housing homeless families. Because of your generosity VIP's budgetary goals for 2008 have been met. Due to your willingness to volunteer your time, Host Congregation sites (i.e., those churches that house families each week) have increased from 8 to 11. Your contributions have also helped a recent VIP client earn her GED and gain employment. In addition, they have allowed renovations to be done to the VIP Day Center where potential clients are assessed for entry into the program, and where families can spend time when they are not working, going to school, sleeping at a host congregation, etc. All these things and more have been made possible because of you who have carved out the time to volunteer, or to share financially.
My heart is warmed when I think about our members reaching out to those in need with such great compassion, and am reminded of Paul's words from the lectionary reading this past Sunday when he wrote, "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality [to the stranger].... Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not think you are superior." (Romans 12:13, 16 b, c – TNIV)
If you wish to learn more about VIP, contribute, or volunteer you may go to their website at www.valleyinterfaithpromise.org, or contact the VIP Director, Victor Feliciano, at vipdir@yahoo.com. You may also do it to old fashion way by calling him at 706-494-6348.
Faithfully,
Pastor Larry
P. S. The ELCA recently released its 2007 membership data report. Please click here here to read a narrative summary of the report.
Do you have comments about this message? Please click here to e-mail me.
