Rev. Melissa Self Patrick posted on May 02, 2012 10:40
Above: "The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes," Lee Porter Fabric Art
Dear friends, partners, volunteers, and donors:
On behalf of everyone here at Urban Ministry, thank you for your contribution during the month of April. We value our relationship with you. When your contribution is combined with many other donors, the results are amazing. We see this every month and give thanks to God for your faithfulness.
During this March and April, you’ve been part of helping Urban Ministry raise more than $118,000 through our Feinstein Campaign efforts to fight hunger in our community! This is significantly more than we’ve received in the past; thank you for your abundant response!
Jesus was all about feeding people. He fed people physical and spiritual food, and that made all the difference for those who were frequently untouched, shoved aside, unwanted, and hungry.
As we continue to celebrate his Resurrection, I’ve been thinking a lot about one of my favorite post-Resurrection stories. Seven disciples are in the boat trying to fish, and all night long they catch nothing. John’s Gospel says, "Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach,” and there was a “charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread.” Just as he turned water into wine at a wedding feast, provided lunch for thousands on the hillside, here again we see Jesus feeding his followers yet another meal. He cares for his own by providing breakfast on the beach.
And Jesus is with us now. He’s with us as we celebrate our tithes, which in turn enable Urban Ministry to provide food – physical and spiritual – to many people. Jesus is with us as we open our doors wide to assist seniors in need of utility and rent assistance, and as we greet beautiful children each afternoon for educational and cultural enrichment. Jesus is with us as we join our community to grow healthy, fresh food.
Jesus is also with us as we join many volunteers to paint houses of senior adults and disabled persons. People like Ms. Howard experience the love of Jesus through us. I hope you’ll read her story and then do what you can to help us get the word out about needing more groups to help us paint houses this summer. It seems that fuel cost increases are making it hard for some groups to travel to us this summer. You are an answer to people like Ms. Howard’s prayers, and you can continue to be an answer to many more prayers just by sharing this information with youth groups, churches, and people you know!
As you consider additional ways you can join Urban Ministry’s efforts to bring compassion and wholeness to people in need, I want to let you know that we have a few urgent needs: the A/C-Heater window unit in our main office died, and it’s getting really warm; the Rush Center needs 3” paint brushes, roller brushes, and paint pans; and it looks like we’re now looking for another van to transport our healthy, organic produce to the community and to markets this summer.
Thank you for all those who have given of their time, money, and goods to help us bring compassion and wholeness to those we serve.
Peace and gratitude for all you do…
Melissa