CHRISTIAN SERVICE
WHAT, Part 2
What does Christian Service do each day? PROVIDE HOPE IN A TIME OF POVERTY AND CRISIS.
Often people arrive in tears with nowhere to turn. They are worried, sometimes trembling with loads of anxiety due to great loss. At times the loss is unexpected and life changing for them. Other times, a life has consisted of ongoing crisis in which a breaking point has arrived to these survivors of this life condition.
What more do we do? Everything and anything that we can to address their current need and to help them build and sustain a healthy and dignified life. We providetheir basic needs, i.e., food, clothing and shelter, with special attention to the sick and the vulnerable. Sometimes help is instantaneous and sometimes help comes during the course of a year or more. With God's promise, help comes.
What is God's promise? Philippians 4:19 "My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus".
What happens with the money donated to Christian Service? We feed, clothe, warm. We save homes from evictions and foreclosures, and utility shut offs. We help with gas for therapy or jobs. We support ministries addressed in the first bulletin letter, "WHO". We gather can openers, blankets, outdoor gear for the homeless and feed residents at the Hope Warming Center. We have helped people move into permanent, safe residency. We help with medical, physical and mental emergencies along with prescription assistance. We provide additional resources, sometimes with upfront funds to address recovery. The dynamics of every family is different, which make each crisis vary. We help our parish families along with outreach to community families. We are all God's children with the same promise of God. We help the homeless, the released prisoners, the refugees. Refugees have visited in the past and most likely, more in the future.
What influence do donations have? You change tears of sorrow to tears of joy giving relief and comfort. You help many children, sick, elderly and those with disabilities. You have been disciples to complete God's promise in Philippians 4:19, the people say thank you to you, and to Jesus. Through your donations, your silent evangelization is at work to complete this scripture.
What is acommon example of someone who was helped? A younger lady is living on a Social Security Disability Income of $614.00 a month, who's check had deductions of $84.30 for her Medicare health plan and $105.70 for her Medicare prescriptions. She was in a car accident in late summer 2016, then in a coma. She is currently undergoing surgery on her spine and neck. After the math, her monthly check to live on is $424.00. She had previously worked at a pipeline making $26/hr. so thankfully she owns her home. She still has co-payments for medical and co-pays for prescriptions along with utility and car payments. Most likely for the rest of her life, this check will not provide for food and clothing or anything else, unforeseen circumstances.
What other information is available on Christian Service? Please visit our parish website at Click on SERVICE, then click on CHRISTIAN SERVICE for more information. Always remember, call me 248-887-1441, or visit anytime...Gayle