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Hands-on Service to be the Kingdom of God on Earth |
The St. Mark’s congregation provides many services for our local neighborhood and for world relief through ELCA. For the 11 past years, St. Mark’s has given out food boxes at its food pantry. We’ve served thousands of people, currently about 150 families per month. The Clothing Closet has been here for several years and gives out clothing to approximately many families each month. We prepare filled back packs and personal hygiene packs to Lutheran World Relief. As time, finances and energy allow, we do a lot to help people. I’d like to suggest that we keep doing these services, with additional help from members and friends. They are very important services that make lives easier and healthier for many families. However, I see these as “band-aids.” How can we help solve some of the problems faced by people? Last week six of us attended an Affordable Housing Assembly sponsored by the Metropolitan Alliance for Common Good (MACG). We got to hear stories directly from people who have faced dramatic challenges in getting and keeping stable housing. We learned about the negative effects of unstable housing on health, education and employment. Let’s put our heads together and look at our mission in sharing God’s love, God’s Word and our resources to make changes in society that will help SOLVE problems. - Mary Karter |