June 2010 Newsletter
From Our Pastor~
A couple of summers ago our youth group went in to St. Louis to help at a Soup Kitchen. On the way home, we talked about whether such a thing could happen in Bonne Terre. They mostly felt it could not. When the bowling alley became available to the Ministerial Alliance the Alliance began dreaming about how we could use it. The term “soup kitchen” came up with some definite hopes for a daily meal provided to those in need. I’m sure this will be quite different from our Soup Bowl. But the Wednesday night meals and our soup suppers are providing food to people who have financial as well as other needs.
Because the room will be needed as we gather stuff for the yard sale, the church board has decided to take a break from Soup Bowl for the month of June. At this week’s gathering, we put signs on the tables and tried to personally speak to each participant to let them know we were taking a month off. I was surprised by the responses!
All expressed gratitude for the months they have been enjoying the food and fellowship. Several remarked they felt like friends of us (those they’ve seen working as well as those who have shared the tables with them). In fact, one said as he came in last night “I didn’t come to eat, just came to visit”.
It may seem like it’s the same people who are doing all the work- and many times it is. BUT we have had participation from almost everyone in the church in these months. Some make soup and leave it at the church – but we don’t see them. Some provide food or money – but we don’t see their participation. Some have been and gone before others even get there.That’s often the way it is in the church. A lot is done while no one else is around, a lot is done where no one else even thinks to be involved. And NEVER discount those who do little more than keep the church and folks in prayer.
The month off from Soup Bowl will be good for the workers – all need a break. We can and should feel good about what we have accomplished- it’s rare that we serve fewer than 25, and many of those folk genuinely need a low cost meal. We have brought many people into our facility who had never been there before. We have “made new friends” in the community. We have extended generous welcome to folks on behalf of our Lord.
On behalf of a grateful community I thank each of you who have made a corner of the world a better place to be.
Reverend Sally
Announcements
Soup Bowl:
Because of preparations for our yard sale and other activities, there will be no Soup Bowl for the month of June. We will start up again in July.
Missouri Annual Conference:
We’re returning to gathering at a college, rather than a hotel for this meeting. We’ll be at Drury University – which is one of “our” Congregational schools. Meeting begins on Friday and continues through Sunday. If anyone is interested in attending as our delegate, contact Rev. Sally right away. Meeting is June 11-13.
Food Pantry:
In addition to miscellaneous food items we gather, for the month of June the pantry has asked our church to gather dish soap, bar soap, laundry soap and dryer sheets. June 20th is last date for the extra items. Any who wish to gather to help pack them contact Rev. Sally. Let’s try to fill our Food pantry basket each Sunday.
Book Discussion Group:
Once a month (first Monday, 10 am) we gather (usually in Fellowship Hall) to discuss a chosen book. As you’ll see from the following list, the books vary! We invite all to join us – come for each book or if one has special interest for you feel free to come to just that discussion. June 7 we will discuss Clan of the Cave Bear. In July because of the holiday weekend we’re meeting on July 12th to discuss The Marvelous Land of Oz - one of the books from the Oz series in honor of the Chautauqua character Frank Baum. Our book for discussion on August 2nd is True Colors by Kristin Hannah. September 13th (a week later than usual because of Labor Day) we’re discussing that golden oldie, Girl of the Limberlost.
October will be a special event – a tea at the home of Marilyn Harris as we gather to discuss Three Cups of Tea. Our last book for the year will be The Hour I First Believed on Nov. 1.
We can be flexible if any would like to be part of the group but are not available on Monday mornings, we’ll change to ta time when you can join us. Contact Marilyn Harris 358 1190
Or Beth Glancy 562 2084.