News On Poverty and Outreach

I have to admit I am a little more wild and crazy about the scope of outreach, poverty, how to make a difference, and social justice since coming home from NOC. If I lose the fire, will someone please slap me? Is that too harsh? It is too easy to become complacent, so I may need a firm reminder. Verbal slapping is fine too, as long as you speak the truth in love. I guess that makes it more of a swat. Anyway, enough of that.

I subscribe to Outreach Magazine, which is the print publication arm of the organization that hosted the convention. I want to share two excerpts from the latest issue of the magazine which arrived two days ago, and I carry with me everywhere now, trying to read five minutes here, five minutes there...

"The best intervention for churches is not to try to save the world. It is to find what is working already and serve the people who are making it happen." Charles N. North and Bob Smiletana, Good Intentions: Nine Hot-Button Issues Viewed Through he Eyes of Faith. I probably should add this to my already too long reading list (if I cant' find more than five minutes to read a magazine, when on earth am I going to read a book, never mind that I have contracts to write two, and so many ideas swirling around in my head it is giving me a headache).
Anyway, I think my church, Community Mennonite Fellowship in Milton, PA does a good job of this, and is becoming better and better at it all the time. We are developing a close partnership with Hand Up Foundation (OK so some of you are probably getting tired of hearing about them, but they are just right on target...) and are now in conversation (our church leadership) with forming a Social Needs Response Team that can partner with folks already involved in building those relationships for transformation by meeting needs and serving.

I absolutely believe that one person can make a difference. Are you? Just food for thought.

Another quote from the same magazine excerpted from Reckless Faith Let Go and Be Led by Beth Guckenberger, states, "It's too easy for those of us who work with the poor to forget to address their poverty. We work around them or on behalf of them but often we still don't know how they live or how to help. We have a responsibility to be God's hand and feet in their lives, for God cares about their hungry bellies, hurting fee, bug-infested beds and runny noses." I went to a great workshop at NOC which dealt specifically with ministry to the poor. The session was titled, "Understanding Poverty in the Pursuit of Souls: Outreach to the Poor." It was excellent and given by Sadell and Sherman Bradley who serve in the Cincinnati area with Equipping Ministires International and City Gospel Mission respectively.

We must build relationships with these folks too, not simply toss our discarded leftovers in their direction. It's one of those push you out of your comfort zone things, but one with huge impact for giver and receiver. Don't be afraid to ask them how they are, invite them for a meal, invest a little bit of time. Like I remarked in my comment to Weekend Musings, becoming homeless is a lot closer as a personal reality, if not for us, then certainly for someone we know than we believe.

Find someone to bless today.
Peace.

Continued Exhaustion...

I am still really, really tired. I know crisscrossing the country doesn't help, but I am just whooped. But obviously I suffer from a bit of OCD, because I can't not post before tucking in under the covers.

I did want to post last night, but then the wind just got taken completely out of my sails. My editor emailed me the sell sheet and cover for my upcoming Bible Study.I tried to upload the image here, but it didn't work...

First, my title was changed, and apparently that happened a while ago, but I just found out last night. I asked if the cover design was done, because I met someone at NOC who is going to give me feedback. So, instead of UnDoing Church: Not Your Mother's Bible Study, they eliminated the second part and replaced it with 'Preparing for Worship". Then, there are dual images on the cover of a woman with her hands in prayer position and on the bottom opened in worship position. But it just isn't in sync with my style,voice or content.

I had to step back and stop hyperventilating. At one point Howie said something in his characteristic dry wit, and I just started to cry. I have really high hopes for this study, but in its original conception with the sassy title and all. As a matter of fact, it is that sassy title that garnered all the endorsement support I have gotten.

I slept on it and didn't wake up feeling any better, so I called my editor who was sympathetic and encouraged me to be in contact with the committee...

So what else is new, and why won't I be able to join Pam for coffee this week? Because I got a new very part time job that involves driving to Scranton and doing chart reviews, and Monday and Friday are committed writing days. I have a wonderful and peaceful quiet spot. I just have to get there, and some days that mobilization can be a real battle.

I want to see if I can figure out how I can show you what the cover image is. If you are willing to share your honest opinion (which I am going to do with my editorial board) drop me an email and I will attach the image to an email.

Blessings, Kathy

Hangin' In and Out in Chicago

Today I am off to San Diego.

My day started pretty early. 3:43 am and the alarm went off. Actually it is so early that it can still be considered late, that in between netherworld time that even the nocturnal creatures are off to zzzzzzz land. But my alarm went off uneventfully and I was so tired I didn't even have a restless pre-trip worried about the alarm not going off night's sleep.

Nicole did come in to give me an extra special huggie hugie when she went to the bathroom at 1 am and I felt like I had been asleep for hours. That was a really good sign.

I broke several speed records leaving the house: showered, coffeed and off all inside of moments. Of course it helps that I fly out of a dinkie airport and can arrive close to departure time and be just fine.

No oversold on the first flight for me, but they did need to have four of us in the first three rows re-seat in the rear of the aircraft for weight and balance issues. I got an entire row to myself, put on the blindfolds, snuggled into my pillow and woke up as we were approaching Chicago Obama land.

I stopped at Starbucks (a favorite airport ritual) called home, and wound my way to the gate, where my luck in the oversold department changed. I had just gotten in line to inquire as to the possibility of an oversold flight and the need for volunteers when the gate agent made just that announcement. For once I was in the right place at the right time...And a good thing, too. They took several names but only needed one and that one would be moi. Yipee. I absolutely love getting bumped. So I am flying on a free ticket, and now have another. I may bring Nicole along to San Fransisco when we go in March. I remember going to a meeting with Howie years ago (in SF) and bringing Matt and we had a glorious trip.

So I am getting caught up on email, web browsing, blog reading etc. while waiting for my next flight. I am going to San Diego to the National Outreach Convention and will also visit my friend Chara again. Plus I have dinner plans with my friend Kim tomorrow in Del Mar. I am excited about the trip and hope to live in the sweet spot of passion and excitement for the next couple of days.

Peace.