Faith Outreach 2010

The restructuring of Faith’s outreach website to align more closely with the outreach budget is complete! The Outreach Committee feels this is an important step for several reasons.

• It significantly increases the transparency and accountability of the committee’s management of the offerings entrusted to it.
• It provides, in one easily accessible location, the background information for each of these outreach areas budgeted for this year.
• It provides information that is important not only for Faith members to discern where God might be leading them to participate, but also to visitors and seekers trying to determine if Faith Church will be their new church home.
• Given our recent changes in demographics and resources it provides a much needed snapshot of where our outreach areas are as we discern what those areas should be in the future.

However, outreach and mission are not about budget alone! As followers of Christ, and Presbyterians, we are called to not only send money but to walk among those in need. This is clearly stated in this passage from Matthew.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matthew 25:35-40)

The Presbyterian constitution also states this thorough the “Great Ends of the Church” as well as its description of the Church’s mission.

Many of the outreach background descriptions have not been able to describe exactly how Faith members are personally involved in those ministries. This is information that must come from you, Faith’s members, as to what you are doing. The Presbyterian Church is a connectional church dependent on community. Your stories of how you are participating in God’s work are the brightest examples of witness to God’s love and allow others to join with you in forwarding God’s Kingdom! It is through your stories, along with prayer, that Faith Church and the Outreach Committee can discern what ministries God is calling us to in the future.

Please keep Faith’s outreach ministries and the Outreach Committee in your prayers! And keep checking the Faith Reach website as we collect those stories and offer invitations to your participation in God’s work. Thank You!