Good morning and God bless you. We are in the midst of a worship series that responds to the question,
What do active disciples of Jesus Christ in
United Methodist congregations do with their lives?
A faithful United Methodist response is that we love God and our neighbor as ourselves through our prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. The series is Five Paths: One Journey.
Our visual reminder of these paths woven together is the worship table display we had on World Communion Sunday.
While the limitations of the COVID pandemic deeply affect the ways we can go about active faithful lives, we are still free to serve in creative ways. Our Michigan Conference has offered these suggestions (https://michiganumc.org/8-ways-to-serve-during-a-pandemic):
- Give money: Relief, aid, and justice organizations still need money. If you are among the lucky whose bank account has been mostly unaffected by the pandemic, you can serve immediately by supplying funds towards causes and organizations.
- Run a fundraising or awareness campaign: You may not have the kind of funds in your bank account to make a difference. It may be time to build some awareness and community around your cause and raise some needed funds by inviting others into service, too.
- Send a meal: Perhaps you know someone locally who could use a hand up. Did you know you can send meals through businesses like DoorDash or Uber Eats? Sending a meal during this time is a double-dip of service: you offer a lift to the recipient while supporting a local business that is likely struggling.
- Write letters: Now could be the perfect time to become a penpal. There are many who are vulnerable but still feel a want for connection and community. Your letter could be a big reminder that we’re still connected and that people care. Write to the elderly in your life. Write to military personnel. Write to the incarcerated.
- Serve as a mentor: More than ever, young people and eager learners are looking for meaningful ways to connect with teachers and role models. Many mentoring programs now offer online means for connecting people.
- Share the good stuff: Remember how much we loved it when John Krasinski shared Some Good News? Take on the same role. You may not need to produce your own news show, but use the platforms available to you to share about the good stuff happening.
- Serve from a distance: Many United Methodist churches began protective mask-making programs…VolunteerMatch is full of opportunities for socially-distanced service, as well.
- Donate what you have: You’ve likely spent a little extra time at home this season–and by now, are well aware of what items you use and those lying around your house that you don’t utilize. Charity organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill Industries could use your under-used items. Utilize this time to have a cleaning day and donate what you weed out to an organization you’d like to support.