We had a very productive conference call this morning with Lorna Geist, our faith facilitator. In addition to asking us some of the tough questions we've been asking ourselves, like "How do we move from giving to the needy to transforming the lives of the poor?" we moved toward expanding our August 4, 2012, Back-to-School Day of Service to encompass more services from the health care field.
Tiffany, our health chairperson, will look into how the following organizations might help us to better serve the health needs of children (and families) in our community:
The Kansas Leadership Center
The Kansas Health Foundation
The United Methodist Health Fund
Grace Med
We will seek, in particular, to find information on grants available to us to help fund and broaden our Day-of-Service event. This search should also include United Methodist Mexican-American Ministries. It might also be productive to seek in the input and assistance of the Satanta District Hospital.
This new emphasis will a new element in our continuing efforts in education (books, school supplies, Russell Child Development etc. and personal care (hygiene, haircuts, clothing, family photos).
We will discuss details at our next class meeting and determine whether a face-to-face meeting with Lorna is the next step in the process.
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I found Lorna's questions challenging and informed. I sensed she was affirming the direction and progress we have made thus far. Well spent time.
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ReplyDeleteThis group is really impressive. Many will plan 'acts of service' but few will have understood the real purpose of why it is so important. Understanding the real 'why' helps to drive the results and energize the efforts.
ReplyDeleteHaving successfully completed other service projects and having connections with those you are serving is like steering a ship - you're not firing up the engines to see if they work, you are moving forward!
Lorna Geist
This certainly marks a new step forward for us. We've done much with food and warmth, but we never really climbed all the way up that hierarchy of needs. I believe that we find wholeness in our efforts to help others find the fullness of life that every human deserves. It is time to re-affirm our commitment moving beyond assistance and into transformation, both for those we serve and ourselves.
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