Thanks Giving!

This last week I was privileged to participate in the GIFTS Men’s homeless shelter. We were at the Emmanuel Free Methodist church and on Tuesday around 6:00-6:30 pm I checked in for overnight duty.

I knew several of the people of Emmanuel, who were there helping, and so made some reconnections with them – getting caught up on our respective ministries and daily life. I met two young men, identical twins and juniors in high school, who were the sons of Emmanuel’s program coordinator. And I spent some time visiting and talking with the men of the shelter.

I always experience a range of emotions as I hear their stories: wonder, discomfort, anger (at their situations), a sense of helplessness (I’d like to make it all better with one wave of my hand), and a sense of sorrow not only for their situation but for all who suffer needlessly.

One man I spoke with had been part of the homeless shelter for three years. He now has his own home and a job and volunteers his time with the GIFTS program. He proved a tremendous help when I had questions – he knew everything and everyone. Another man I spoke with had been part of the shelter program for only several weeks, but has been out of work for four years. He was soft spoken, older, and has a college education. One of my last check-ins was a new comer to the shelter. He had never been in a homeless shelter and was understandably nervous and unsure of himself. We helped him get settled in and made him feel as welcome as we could.

The next morning I was on my way home by 7:00-7:30 am. During my drive home I thought about the men I had met. I prayed for them and wept for them. I also thought how proud I am of our church and the people serving in this ministry. I am proud of all the churches of Janesville who are coming together (regardless of denomination) to provide some shelter, hot meals, showers, clothing and toiletries... It is a just a little bit we are offering and doing, but it is one step towards serving those in need in our community.

I am thankful for the church and people I serve. I am blessed to be in ministry with you. I am in awe of your spiritual gifts and I watch with great joy and love in my heart as I see you rise (time and time again) to the needs of the occasion – helping and serving the people of our community.

I am thankful to God for the ways he is changing all our lives.

See you on Sunday my friends,

Patrick

Thank you God!

Every now and then I pause to thank God for the ministry he has led me to. Most days go by so quickly – they are filled with hurrying from one moment to the next (sometimes figuratively, sometimes literally) that I forget to thank God. How terrible is that! Yet, in the quiet moments when I pick up my Bible, reflect upon the ministries of the day, as well as the blessings of God, I am thankful.

I am thankful for the phone calls I have with church members, church friends, or someone from the community. I am thankful for the visits I can make to the hospital or someone’s home. I am thankful for the planning of worship service, selecting of scripture, writing of a sermon and mulling through songs. I am thankful for the many, many ministries we have going at the church and that I can be a part of them (in some small way). I am thankful for the opportunities I have to pray for you – especially when you share prayer concerns with me. I am thankful when a young child remembers or recalls (in his or her own words) a biblical story that was taught last week – or at VBS! I am thankful that I can read stories every Wednesday morning to our preschoolers. I am thankful for those of you who share your faith journey with me and how God is at work in your lives. I am thankful for my own spiritual journey and growth. And I am thankful for serving here at Milton UMC.

I shared a bit about Milton UMC’s ministries, changes, and growth these last several years with Cheri Milton of HospiceCare yesterday. She was here to present ways of coping with grief through the holidays. She and her husband had pastored a church in Madison years ago and she was amazed at the ways our church serves in ministry and outreach. Most of all, I am thankful for the ways in which you open yourself to God working through you. You are the body of Christ. You are the hands and feet of Christ, serving in ministry and mission. And I thank you for letting me be part of your ministry.


Blessings to you my friends. I’ll see you on Sunday!