Union Christian Church is a caring community! That's the way our mission statement starts, and it's something we seek to live out within and beyond our walls. This month, we have several ways to share God’s love and care with those in need. I hope you will take some time to prayerfully consider how the Lord can use you this month as we seek to care for others in Jesus' name!
This Sunday, our youth will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring. They will collect donations for the Oconee Area Resource Council’s (OARC) Food for Kids Program following worship and our called Congregational Meeting. Please prayerfully consider taking part in this special collection. Please also pause and pray for the children and families who receive food from OARC's Food for Kids Program.
Throughout February, we have several opportunities to support Family Promise as they seek to help families in crisis situations achieve sustainable independence. The La Table signature fundraiser was held yesterday and was a great success! As your pastor, I was so proud of how Union contributed and helped raise funds to support such a great cause.
Our Christian Women’s Fellowship will also collect supplies for Family Promise this month. The most needed items include Walmart Gift Cards, Kroger Gift Cards, new sheet sets (all sizes), new pillows, paper towels, toilet paper, body wash, lotion, shampoo, dish soap, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets. You can bring items to the Gathering Space any time this month. Please pray for Family Promise as they are transitioning to a new hosting model in 2024. Union’s first host week this year will be February 18-25. If you are interested in volunteering with Family Promise, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our coordinators, Patti Clark and Kelly Hansford!
This month, Union also has the opportunity to support the ministry of Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS). ACTS provides food and clothing to our neighbors in need. In addition to prayer support, Union donates regularly to ACTS and also sends weekly volunteers to serve onsite. As a church, we staff the center every other month on the fourth Friday of the month. Union will volunteer again on Friday, February 23. If you are interested in serving that Friday, please meet at ACTS (130 East Thompson St., Bogart, 30622) at 9:00 AM. Contact Julian Beckwith, if you have any questions about serving with ACTS. This month, our Community Prayer Emphasis is ACTS. Please pray for all the clients and volunteers involved with ACTS.
Finally, our GriefShare Ministry will begin again this month as well. If you or someone you know is grieving the death of a family member or friend, we invite you to join our GriefShare Support Group. This group will meet once a week for 13 weeks beginning Thursday, February 29, at 1:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall, and the group is open to any adults grieving in the community. We would love your help providing snacks for our weekly meetings, and we will pass the clipboard in church so you can sign up. Please pray that the deep peace of Christ will surround all those leading and participating in GriefShare.
I thank God that Union Christian Church is a caring community! May God continue to use us together to reflect his love and care both within and beyond our walls!