GREETINGS TO GOD’S
IMAGE BEARERS,
In this season of Lent, we are getting to know our neighbors a bit better as we invite local social service agencies to share with us what they are doing and how they are engaging with our neighbors who are struggling with life.
Although it is a very small organization, Sarah Ross from Compeer helps to bring people with mental health challenges together with others to form friendships to combat loneliness which I’ve heard is on the rise across the nation. Jennie Schmidt from Free Medical and Dental Clinic told us about how helpful it was to have a dentist on staff with immigrants coming who have never had dental care and I am grateful we have neighbors like free clinic to be that first place, that entry point for our newest neighbors to get help and access to care for their bodies.
Ally Tippe, Volunteer Coordinator and In-Kind Donations Manager spoke of how Domestic Violence Intervention Program helps our neighbors who live in the most intimate relationships suffering abuse to have a way out. She said on average it takes 7 times of contact with DVIP before our neighbor can break the cycle of violence and abuse to move toward more life sustaining relationships. They also offer foster care for animals because so often a person will not leave their pet in danger. DVIP is also seeing an increase in neighbors who have experienced human trafficking.
Getting to know our neighbors this season of Lent expands our idea, our definition of neighbor. Jesus does that too when he tell the story of the Good Samaritan where we are reminded to help anyone, any neighbor in need. You have done that as we have listened to our neighbors and a variety of needs. You have given of your time, attention, and money to help our neighbors. Thank you. Thank you to our Thrivent Action teams supporting Compeer, DVIP and Inside Out Reentry Program.
Some of you have been praying in our neighborhood which I am very grateful for. I wonder what God will do through us as we continue to talk and listen to God as we broaden our ideas about our neighbors as we get to know them in a variety of ways.
I think about the neighbors of the bible. In John’s gospel, the writer introduces us to neighbors like Nicodemus and the Woman at the well, using very contrasting people to teach us about God’s abiding presence with us and how God pitches a tent among us through Jesus. I think about the Moabite neighbor, Ruth clinging to Naomi. I think about Jonah and his great reluctance to go to his Ninevite neighbors and his shipmate neighbors and I smile as I wonder what God will do with us, through us, as we think about our neighbors and what it means to be a neighbor.
Bold Inquisitive Belief Loving Expansively,
Pastor Connie Spitzack
P.S. Remember to Walk & Pray in our neighborhood.
