Pastor's
Periodic
Ponderings
      

Do Small Things with Great Love . . . by Mother Theresa and the theme of the Family of Christ 2016 Mission Trips.  This Sunday is Mission Trip thank you Sunday and the kick off for the 2017 Mission trips.  It is a wonderful theme that will linger far into the future because it is grounded in our belief that tells us God loves us and the world He made and because of that we are free to love and serve each other. 

Do small things with great love, by serving your neighbor . . . you get to do this day in and day out in your homes, schools and places of work.  But how about doing a great big thing with great love?  Consider a very specific way of serving your neighbor by being a bone marrow donor.  If you were a match to someone in need of a bone marrow transplant, it could change their life.  On Saturday, October 15 from 11am - 2pm, Family of Christ is hosting a "Be The Match" bone marrow drive in support of one of the youngest members of our congregation - Telly Sturgis. Telly is 2 years-old and was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in October 2015.  He went through treatment for five months and was in remission for a number of months.  Telly's cancer has returned and he is undergoing treatment a second time and is in need of a bone marrow transplant.  Having our church serve as a hosting site is one way to honor Telly and be a support to the Sturgis family - parents are Molly and Eric, Evie is Telly's big sister and grandparents are Sara and Darryl Sturgis. 



"Every 4 minutes, a baby, child or adult is diagnosed with a blood cancer like leukemia.  No one expects it.  No family is prepared.  Many of these patients need a marrow transplant to survive, but don't have a matching marrow donor in their family.  They turn to Be The Match Registry to find a donor who can save their life." 
(From Be The Match brochure)

It is unknown whether or not a donor will come out of this drive that will be a match for Telly, but as followers of Jesus, it is one way we can serve a neighbor in need.  Be The Match is looking for people ages 18 - 44 years-old.  It takes about twenty minutes to come fill out a few forms, read some material about the procedure and provide a swab from your cheek.  Your information is entered into a registry and you may be contacted if and when a match is found (about 1 in every 540 registrants will go on to donate).  Click HERE for more information about the event and what it means to be a donor.  If you are outside the age range, but want to support Be The Match, you can volunteer during the event or make a financial contribution on their website

As a family of Christ, we come together and support one another in times of joy and times of need.  This is a time of need for the Sturgis family and it is one way that we are "wrapping our arms" around them.  This drive is open to the community, so feel free to tell a friend or neighbor.  Trusting in God's grace and care, we ask you to pray for Telly and his family. 

In Christ - Pastor Jeanne 


A Few More Things:

 DON'T FORGET TO JOIN US THIS SUNDAY AT NOON FOR OUR OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATION.  
Lunch is provided but please bring a dessert to share.

PRAYER VIGIL 
Looking for some quiet, reflective, prayer time?  Come to Family of Christ this  Tuesday, October 11 between 8 am-8 pm.  You'll find the Sanctuary ready for you with flowing fountain,  meditative music and prayer resources available.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION  about current Family of Christ events & opportunities, view our Family News.