Jesus said that we are to go forward and make disciples. Our Heart to Heart Ministry has dedicated itself to living out Jesus’ instructions by visits in assisted living and nursing facilities, homes and hospitals. For the past several months, with prayerful direction, they have established a great relationship with the staff and residents of Carolina Gardens.
After several visits and conversations, Carolina Gardens made a small room available to us to be used as a store of sorts, where residents could use their bingo money to purchase toiletries and clothes. I shared some pictures of Rick Callaway and Mary Hope Funkhouser painting that room a few weeks ago. The store has become a huge hit with the residents and they look forward to coming. Our store volunteers include: Barbara Wing, Kay Sanders, Shirley Pendergrass, Mary Jane Miller, Mary Hope Funkhouser, Rick Callaway and Bill Matthews. (If I missed anyone, I ask for forgiveness now.) The blessings are not just the items purchased, but the relationships being built.
The other night, several members of our Heart to Heart ministry attended a Sock Hop at Carolina Gardens. It was a joyful evening of friendship and laughter.
I keep thinking of how Jesus would come alongside people, eat dinner with them, and enjoy being with others. I keep remembering how Jesus said we should tend his lambs, and I am grateful for the work of this ministry.
The next step is worship. Bill Matthews has a dream for this ministry: a chapel! The staff is working to see if we can be allotted a room where a worship space can be created for residents and staff to pray, have devotions, and hear God’s Word. Other churches also minister to people at Carolina Gardens, and we are inviting them to work with us.
In developing relationships that lead to shared faith, the Heart to Heart ministry is living Jesus’ call and giving everyone a glimpse of the Kingdom of God today. Thank you Heart to Heart!
The South Carolina Annual Conference will convene tonight in Greenville. This year holds special meaning for us as Pastor Laura will be fully ordained on Monday night. Some of you will be joining us there, others may want to live stream. On our website, there is a link that will take you straight to the live stream. In fact, you may live stream and watch everything as it happens all week.
The theme of the Annual Conference is A Future with Hope. We will celebrate ministries of the past year, ordain new elders and deacons, participate in a service for retired clergy and in a memorial service for those who have died in the past year. We will have daily communion and daily Bible study led by the Reverends Greg and Susan Jones. We will discuss issues and elect delegates to the 2020 General and Jurisdictional Conferences. This is a holy time of holy work. Please keep the Annual Conference and your delegates specifically in your prayers. They are: Rick Callaway, Cindy Ferguson, John Ferguson, Anna Henry, and Judy Lienemann. May God’s blessings and peace be upon us all.
Faithfully,
Pastor Scarlett