Grace & Peace,
“Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” (Mk 16:15)
Jesus was pretty clear that we are to be out in the world spreading the good news. By his own example we know that actions are more powerful than words. Jesus did not talk about washing the feet of others - Jesus washed the feet of others. Jesus did not talk about healing people – Jesus healed people.
Perhaps you are familiar with the saying “Preach the Gospel always, use words when necessary.” This saying has been attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, and while he never said it his life was such an example of these thoughts that even the most ardent Franciscan is pleased to have the saying associated with their patron saint.
Sharing the good news through actions is powerful. In Tanzania we witnessed that during a visit to a village where only 13 villagers, out of several thousand, were Christian, yet the Diocese of Masasi took efforts to assure that village has a source of clean safe water. Through the efforts of the Diocese of Masasi, and the funding of an African Palms grant, another village will also receive clean safe water; this village counts 30 Christians out of 3,000 - 4,000 people within the village. Bishop James has said that if someone lives within his diocese they are his sheep, regardless of whether they are Christian or not. This is the Gospel in action.
As a reminder, Bishop James will be with us on Sunday, 29 September, preaching at both 8am and 10am and participating in the 5pm service, so please plan to be there. We will also welcome Bishop James to Olney on Thursday, 26 September, with a pizza party in the parish hall at 5pm. Join us if you can so he can experience a warm welcome to our community (arrive early to welcome him) just as we were welcomed to his community.
Bishop James and the people we met in the Diocese of Masasi are preaching the Gospel, their work is a powerful example. We too have opportunities to be powerful examples of the Gospel in the Olney community.
This fall the church, school, and B’nai Shalom will partner to provide a Thanksgiving meal and gifts for the December holidays to families in need. These efforts are part of the larger Holiday Giving Project that is overseen by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. More information will soon be available about how you can be involved in helping these families. This is one way that St. John’s helps the Olney community.
We also stock a small food pantry at the parish as well as donate food to Olney Help. Once a month, church and school work together to provide over 200 sandwiches to a local shelter. We also work to furnish apartments for newly settled refugees in the area. There is a lot going on.
All of these wonderful efforts require manpower and funds.
We have made some changes this past year and now the funding comes to these projects in a new way. The entire proceeds of the Pumpkin Patch are now devoted to the outreach ministries of the church; this will include the Holiday Giving Program, pantry, sandwich making, and others. So to support these efforts your participation in the Pumpkin Patch is important.
Sign up
now for a shift, or two or three, with the online link in this email. Not only is it fun to work in the Patch it helps the outreach efforts of St. John’s.
There are other ways to be involved; the outreach committee of St. John’s needs your input and participation. We will be holding a meeting of the committee soon and if you want to be involved please contact me, or Mother Shivaun, so we can include you in the meeting. If you receive an invitation to the outreach committee meeting we hope that you will attend and share your own talents.
Go into all the world and preach the Gospel, use words if necessary.
P
eace
Fr. Henry+
