‘If you can’t feed 100 people, then feed one’
Last week I wrote about some of the great things that are on Clarendon’s horizon. They excite and invigorate me. I am almost perfectly happy with where I live.
The barrier to my bliss lies in the fact that I know there are so many people hurting in our community.
My friend Ted Johnson is a board member at the United Ministries of Clarendon County (UMCC), an organization founded to help people in crisis situations with assistance with medical and utility bills and with food and clothing from UMCC’s food pantry and First Baptist Church’s generous Friendship Closet, respectively.
Ted told me that the client base at UMCC has changed since the economy tanked. Two years ago, those seeking assistance were mostly single moms and grandmas raising their grandchildren who needed assistance. Today, Ted says, it is a lot of family where dad and or mom have lost their jobs. Slim resources sometimes can’t be stretched to the kitchen table.
How blessed am I that I have never had to stand in a line to ask for help for food or a utility bill? How do I show that kind of gratitude?
Pat Terry, a volunteer with United Ministries explained like this:
“Our society says it is the responsibility of everyone to care for people less able than ourselves. The golden rule is Biblical. (Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you...”)
“United Ministries takes it even further. UMCC goes out of its way to offer help to Clarendon County residents who ask. It is a win-win situation when someone asks for help and that call can be answered. Both client and volunteer are given the opportunity to share dialogue that often is faith-based. We humans love to feel good, and it feels good to serve others, to make a difference in someone’s life. UMCC makes a difference.”
I love the way Pat puts it. It makes me remember that Golden Rule and how good I feel when I can give even a little to such an important mission. The headline for this column is a quote from Mother Teresa. It is exactly how it should work.
However, I know that UMCC is hurting for resources, while the need in our community at present continues to rise. We are commanded to help those who are in need.
Where are we? Is your church making supporting this mission a regular part of your budget? Are there those in your church who are in need? There are very few churches supporting United Ministries.
Where are we? Is your business or your co-workers supporting this mission? Could you organize a food drive after payday? Do you have former or present employees who are struggling to make ends meet because of layoffs or cut hours?
Where are we? As individuals, how hard would it be to pick up a few extra items at the grocery store? Can you spread the word about helping those less fortunate?
Another volunteer at UMCC said this: “Great things are happening through the people involved at United Ministries, and you know, none of us gives so much that it hurts. We really can do more than we are doing.”
UMCC has three immediate needs:
A larger facility … to help more people.
Funding … to help more people.
Volunteers … to help more people.
It is so simple. UMCC is a well controlled, compassionate organization trying to do God’s work. Can you be a leader in your church or place of employment or family and help this organization thrive?
I love the phrase, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
I remember seeing a long line at UMCC on a very cold morning last winter. Maybe 50 people were standing outside waiting, probably for assistance to keep their homes and children warm, maybe to get a couple of bags of food to feed their families.
There but for the grace of God go I.
And a lot of us, huh?
