Have a Little Faith

Possible book for our class to read in the new year??

Albom’s first nonfiction book since Tuesdays with Morrie, Have A Little Faith begins with an unusual request: an 82-year-old rabbi from Albom’s old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy.

Feeling unworthy, Albom insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he’d left years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Albom becomes involved with a Detroit pastor – a reformed drug dealer and convict – who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.

Moving between their worlds, Christian and Jewish, African-American and white, impoverished and well-to-do, Mitch observes how these very different men employ faith similarly in fighting for survival: the older, suburban rabbi, embracing it as death approaches; the younger, inner-city pastor relying on it to keep himself and his church afloat.

As America struggles with hard times and people turn more to their beliefs, Mitch and the two men of God explore issues that perplex modern man: how to endure when difficult things happen; what heaven is; intermarriage; forgiveness; doubting God; and the importance of faith in trying times. Although the texts, prayers and histories are different, Albom begins to realize a striking unity between the two worlds - and indeed, between beliefs everywhere.

In the end, as the rabbi nears death and a harsh winter threatens the pastor’s wobbly church, Albom sadly fulfills the last request and writes the eulogy. And he finally understands what both men had been teaching all along: the profound comfort of believing in something bigger than yourself.

Have a Little Faith is a book about a life’s purpose; about losing belief and finding it again; about the divine spark inside us all. It is one man’s journey, but it is everyone’s story.

SUCCESS

Our first attempt at a joint delivery of Christmas gifts and food baskets was a bit rock at times (we're already planning on how to better coordinate efforts), but we did it! We owe a debt of gratitude to the Pairs and Spares Class (plus Randy and Charlotte Liebelt and Steve and Jody Barker) for ALL the work they did to make this possible.

We also wish to thank everyone who donated gifts, money, or offered other support. Trena, our secretary, also deserves commendation for the work she did organizing this event, and we must not forgot to thank our Santa, Jeremy Hazen, who brightened the Christmas of many a boy and girl when he delivered their gifts.

We are a giving church, and there is no better time to share the love of Jesus than at Christmas.

Christmas Giving Reminders

The final deadline for the angel tree gifts is Sunday, December 12.

We will distribute these gifts on Wednesday, December 15. Please plan to meet in the fellowship hall to sort and organize gifts, to create food baskets, and to help make deliveries.

Rumor has it that Santa will be there. We hope you will be, too.

Thoughts on Emmaus House

For some time, we have considered doing a mission project for the Emmaus House in Garden City. A recent article in the Garden City Telegram revealed that the Emmaus House is struggling financially. This article was followed by an editorial in the paper a day later, which was followed by an anonymous online comment disparaging the work of the Emmaus House. The following editorial was written by a member of the Emmaus House board of directors. It is worth reading. I have changed the portions that I believe speak to our own philosophy of giving so that they appear in red. It is refreshing to hear that others have the same values as we.

Consider support for Emmaus House

Published 11/27/2010 in Commentary : Letters to the Editor

First of all, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the matter-of-fact article about Emmaus House that appeared in the Nov. 16 issue of The Telegram. Even more, thank you so very much for the editorial that appeared in the Nov. 17 issue. Your support and your very gracious words about our mission are most appreciated. We could not have expressed any better what Emmaus House is about, or the importance of what we do.

The anonymous online comment that followed the editorial does, however, demand a response. We at Emmaus House honestly do not concern ourselves about tobacco use or similar habits on the part of the people that we provide for. Very simply put, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is not our place to judge or to criticize others for whatever failings we may perceive in them, or in the way that the poor choose to utilize their meager resources. Also, we choose not to look cross-eyed at those who drive nice vehicles to our facility. We do not have any way of knowing what that person's situation may be, in particular, whether or not that person recently lost a job or otherwise has suffered a financial setback and is unable to change vehicles to a "more appropriate" one for a person in poverty.

That having been said, Emmaus House does make a good faith effort to be a good steward of the funds that are entrusted to us to meet the needs of this community. Any person who shows up at our front door seeking asylum, a place to stay on a temporary basis, must first secure clearance from local law enforcement showing that that person is not a wanted fugitive. Any person or family seeking food assistance is required to fill out an application which is then screened by the executive director or house manager. We do enforce guidelines for those who seek help in this way, similar or comparable to the federal poverty guidelines. These safeguards are by no means perfect. Without doubt we are on occasion fooled into providing help to individuals or families who do not qualify and should not be receiving our help at all. We try to be good stewards, but we are willing to be fooled occasionally rather than turn away those who are truly in need.

As a board of directors -- which also includes Vern Peifer, Von Hunn, Charlie Barker, Laurie Gerber, Ron Major, Alan Cheatum, Gary Fuller and Boyd Funk -- we have decided to respond to the present funding crisis with a campaign asking individuals or families who do not support us now to consider making regular donations of $10 per month to Emmaus House. Please consider a regular donation of $10 per month as a minimal level of support for a vital local organization that continues to meet needs as those present themselves in Garden City and in southwest Kansas, in the name and love of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

RICHARD HODSON,

Lakin

Hodson is a member of the Board of Directors of Emmaus House, Inc.

Candy Sales/Angel Tree

We cleared $84.00 this morning on candy sales. Items that did not sell were stored in the kitchen fridge and will be offered for sale next Sunday. Leanne hopes to make toffee for next Sunday, and others are encouraged to make their favorites as well. There are boxes in our room on the table if you need containers, and you may charge ingredients to our account at the store should you not want to donate them.

We still have several angels left, but our deadline of December 12 is later than usual, so we are hoping to move several more next week. In an effort to expedite the process, Ryan has asked Rolf to run a community note asking people outside of our congregation to participate. In the worst case scenario, Ryan will make a shopping run to cover those gifts not covered by our sweatshirt project. Brent will write Rachel a check for the sweatshirts we've already purchased.

Remember, we will organize and distribute our gifts on December 15 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Pairs and Spares, who are doing the Christmas baskets, will be working alongside us this year so that we can make one delivery per household. Your help is always appreciated!

Let the Christmas season begin!

Thank you!

Thank you for your donation of $25.00. Your support of the tiny-k program is greatly appreciated.

Elizabeth Young
FTF Volunteer
Russell Child Development

Notes from Sunday, November 21, 2010

(Please note that I have bold-faced upcoming events for those you of whose schedules have gone from mildly crazy to certifiably insane.)

It's time to kick-off our holiday sweet shop!

Karen will make items for next Sunday, November 28. We'll need more items for the following Sundays:

December 5
December 12
December 19.

Please look at these dates and see what you can provide and when you can provide it.

At some point, schedules permitting, Ryan's mother will come over and give a peanut brittle-making workshop in the new kitchen. Ryan will take care of the details and will you keep you all posted as plans solidify.

We have also set a date for angel-tree distribution. We will join the Pairs-and-Spares class (who are doing the Christmas food baskets this year) on December 15 @ 5:00 p.m. for a joint distribution. Jeremy will be visiting homes as Santa, but only those who have young children residing in them. Please plan to attend this event!

We are also looking at plans for spring 2011 . . .

Blake and Nicole have suggested that we hosted a teen dance in February at the Community Building, perhaps on Feb. 12, with a $5.00 admission charge for area students in grades 7-12. Blake would provide the music, and the class would provide refreshments, decorations, and security. The suggested admission fee would be $5.00 per person for the 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. event.We'll need to check this date against the school calendar and check for the availability of the Community Building to even see if any of this is possible.

Ryan continues to do long-range planning on a second literacy fair to be held at the church this spring; no dates have been explored, but it was discussed that the event would not necessarily have to be on a weekend. In addition to a grand book giveaway to all children in attendance, we'd like to set up craft tables (as opposed to game tables) for the children to enjoy in advance of the performance of a storyteller, who could very well be Cheri Williams who could entertain the little ones while their parents listened to a presentation by a literacy expert. The literacy expert would likely be someone from Russell Child Development where Stephanie Frank is our contact.

MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS and OTHER ITEMS THAT DON'T FIT ELSEWHERE INCLUDE

• the need to organize the MAM room again. The weight of donations is starting to take a toll on our organization;
  
• the need for a thank you note to be written to Sharon Kisker for her very, very generous donation to our group;
  
• and the possibility that we might want to purchase the cotton candy machine from the hardware's rental department.