We are in the second decade of the 21st century. That sounds so space-age! Still, with the many technologies that we enjoy, some things are still done the old fashioned way. Inviting someone to church--in person--is still the most effective means of building the community of faith.
Here at Zion, we are preparing for a new year of opportunities to be Christ to the world. Our Food Pantry continues to serve a growing client list. Our mission dollars donated to the Friends of Barnabas continue to provide needed healthcare for the poor children of Honduras. Habitat for Humanity maintains an aluminum recycling bin here on our property and the Ronald McDonald House regularly receives from us pounds of poptops. The quilters provide blankets and quilts to Micah Ministries, Project Linus, and the Thurman Brisben Shelter. Creative hands make bears for the x-ray department at Mary Washington Hospital. Kits for Conference, assembled with love and care, are delivered all over the world by the United Methodist Committee on Relief. School Dressing Days and Christmas for Others share the light of Christ through shared resources. A missionary covenant with Red Bird Mission in Kentucky aids the ministry and educational goals of an impoverished area in Appalachia. We respond with financial assistance to those in our community who seek our help.
Of course, we also continue our educational initiatives through Sunday School, Bible Studies, and children's ministries--children's church and children's choir. We foster community through small groups--UMW, UMM, Quilters, and Choir. We provide care for one another and those in our community with visits, prayer shawls, cards, and meals. We take seriously the commandment of Jesus Christ to go and to share the light of Christ in the world.
We balance all of this, along with weekly worship, to participate in the Spotsylvania Cluster of United Methodist Churches, the Fredericksburg District, the Virginia Conference, and the ecumenical ministries of this area. Zion is an active church seeking to grow. Growth requires nurture and energy. Growth requires resources and leadership. Growth requires us to invite folks to join our church family. Growth requires our faith in the God who calls us to be disciples.
I pray that each of us examines how we can better serve God and our community in this new year. Thanks be to God for the opportunity to share.
Grace and peace, Rev. Barb
