My Blog

Tag: outreach

  • Risk-Taking Mission and Service

    (Continuing a series based on Bishop Robert Schnase's book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations)

    51mMc0f43aL._SX258_BO1 204 203 200_Mission and Service refers to the projects, efforts, and work people do to make a positive difference in the lives of others for the purposes of Christ, whether or not they will ever become part of the community of faith.  Risk-taking pushes us out of our comfort zone, stretching us beyond service to people we already know, exposing us to people, situations, and needs that we would never ordinarily encounter apart from our deliberate intention to serve Christ.   Congregations who practice Risk-taking Mission and Service offer endless opportunities for people to make a difference in lives of others through service projects, volunteer opportunities, and mission initiatives.

    The Patron Saint of our church is Martin of Tours. As a young man, Martin was a soldier in the Roman army and stationed in Gaul, which is modern-day France. One day as he was approaching the gates of the city of Amiens, he met a scantily clad beggar. He impulsively cut his military cloak in half to share with the man. That night, Martin dreamed of Jesus wearing the half-cloak he had given away. He heard Jesus say to the angels: "Martin, who is still but a catechumen, clothed me with this robe." (Sulpicius, ch 2). Soon thereafter, he was Baptized.

    Martin of Tours icon Hart

    Icon by Aidan Hart

    Martin was ordained, started a monastery, became a Bishop, and was a great leader of the Church. But that act of compassion and the vision that followed became the most-repeated story about his life.

    For almost fifty years, that story has inspired the people of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church to reach out to those in need. Here are some of the outreach efforts we are currently involved in:

     

    Union Gospel Mission

    Service Sunday Lunch Preparation
    Food and Clothing Collection
    Men’s Shoe Drive
    Angel Tree

    4 Saints Food Pantry

    Quarterly Food Donations
    Red Envelope Donations

    Presbyterian Night Shelter

    Volunteer
    Donations
    Bar Soap Bags        

    Meals on Wheels

    Volunteer
    Donations    

    Teddy Bears for Cook Children’s Hospital

    Medical Supplies for People Being Treated for Leprosy in India

    Winter Coat Drive

    Obviously, much of what we do for others involves money and I am very pleased to see how generously our members are sharing their wealth for these godly efforts to heal and transform lives. What is not always so obvious is the number of people who give of their time and talents to extend Christ’s love in these and other efforts for others. Their stories are amazing! Please join them. We are in the process of organizing an Outreach Commission that will coordinate support and involvement in the aforementioned service opportunities and others that are waiting for us. Dick Seeber is the convener and he would love to connect you with one or more of those efforts.

    But are we taking risks? You bet! In every case, we are being called to engage in efforts that do not guarantee success. In every case, we are being called to go from a place where we are similar to and familiar with the people with whom we worship to a place where we are strangers and sojourners. In every case, we are stepping out of our comfort zones and asking others to do the same. Can we take even greater risks? We certainly can and I believe we will because what we are doing is in the service of One who risked his very life on a cross in the same mission and service that is now entrusted to us.

    I have a colleague in ministry who occasionally likes to offer this prayer: “O God, comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” That prayer is central to the multi-volume work about Risk-Taking Mission and Service God is writing on the hearts of the people of St. Martin’s.

    I’ll see you in Church!

    Ron Short Blue Sig Cropped

     

     

     

     

    The Very Reverend Ron Pogue
    Interim Rector
    St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church
    Keller, Texas

  • Way to Go!

     

    Several remarkable things have happened during the two months I’ve been with the People of St. Andrew’s Cathedral and I want to make some remarks about some of them.

    Electronic Mail – We use Constant Contact for our weekly e-news and any number of other communications with our members. Constant Contact provides us with metrics that help us understand how many people open emails, how many bounce, and how many emails are sent. Last week, The Epistle was emailed to 901 addresses, 368 of which actually opened the email. That’s a 42% open rate. While 100% would be better, Constant Contact tells us that 33% is a very good open rate. So, our members are above average in reading their emails. This tells me you are interested in what is happening at your church. That makes my heart glad.

    Stewardship Campaign – 224 households have pledged to give $1,054,341 next year for God’s work through St. Andrew’s Cathedral. 69 pledges are new and 94 are increases in giving. Each pledge represents a commitment to God and God’s Church to engage in faithful stewardship as a spiritual discipline. The prompt and generous response is a sign of spiritual health.

    Habitat for Humanity – On Wednesday of this week, the Staff and others from the Cathedral spent the day working on the house that four Episcopal churches are building on Greenview Street. During lunch, served by the Holy Smokers, our fearless and able leader, Thorne Butler, thanked everyone for participating and made some announcements. When he was finished, I asked him if he had full sign up sheets. He said, “Yes! In fact, we oversubscribed. There are even more people than we expected.” That’s an indication that members of the Cathedral community want to be engaged in Christ’s work in meaningful, life changing ways

    Meals on Wheels – At a meeting of the newly revitalized Pastoral Care Commission, June Stevens reported that she has forty people who are participating in this important ministry. Forty! That is another indication that the members of the Cathedral community want hands-on engagement.

    Newcomer Dinner – Thirteen people who are new to the Cathedral recently attended a lovely dinner at the home of Gayle and Holmes Adams. Several members of the vestry and staff, along with a wonderful group of hosts, were there to extend a generous and warm welcome. The newcomers left with a feeling that they have a place in this community of faith and the warm glow on the faces of all those who made the evening possible indicated that they knew they got their message across.

    Women’s Book Study – If one more person shows up for the Women’s Book Study, they may have to move to the Parish Hall. They enjoy each other’s company and the lively discussion of some significant literature.

    Men’s Ministries – I’ve tried unsuccessfully several times to start opportunities for men’s fellowship, including a Society of St. Andrew and something like the Dean’s List. I was impressed upon arrival at the Cathedral that we have both opportunities and they are thriving.

    This is a community of Christians who enjoy one another’s company, look forward to opportunities to work, pray, give, and play together, and go out of their way to include everyone.

    These are certainly not the only examples of congregational health, but I wanted to recognize them and call your attention to them in hopes of encouraging all our ministries and all our groups to keep up the good work because in so doing you are building up the Church and living in the spirit of the exhortation found in the Letter to the Hebrews, "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24).

    The distinguished English church musician Percy Dearmer penned these stanzas that I think could be the theme song of St. Andrew’s Cathedral because they so beautifully describe the quality of common life the Holy Spirit is stirring up around here, at the Altar, at fellowship meals, in our study, caring for one another, and in service to our neighbors in need. Here is a setting by Harold Friedell sung by the Choir of Men and Boys at St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, in New York City.

    Draw us in the Spirit's tether;
    For when humbly, in thy name,
    Two or three are met together,
    Thou art in the midst of them:
    Alleluya! Alleluya!
    Touch we now thy garment's hem.

    As the brethren used to gather
    In the name of Christ to sup,
    Then with thanks to God the Father
    Break the bread and bless the cup,
    Alleluya! Alleluya!
    So knit thou our friendship up.

    All our meals and all our living
    Make us sacraments of thee,
    That be caring, helping, giving,
    We may true disciples be.
    Alleluya! Alleluya!
    We will serve thee faithfully

    Words: Percy Dearmer
    Music: Harold Friedell

    I’ll see you in Church!

    Ron Short Blue Sig Cropped 28 

     

     

     

    The Very Reverend Ronald D. Pogue
    Interim Dean
    St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral
    Jackson, Mississippi