One thing that helped us hold our focus on Jesus and his love for us was the way, even from the earliest days of our life together, we began reaching out to others, especially those in need. Fifteen years ago one member of the Body of Christ in this place had an idea. She wanted to help children in our community who wouldn’t have new clothes to start the school year. She contacted the social service person in town and asked how we could help. Out of that conversation, out of the prayers of God’s people, out of the generosity of many, many individuals, “New Beginnings” was born.
The first year seven children received a
new jacket, pants, shirt, underwear, socks, and a gift certificate for shoes.
We purposely arranged the program so that we never know who receives the
clothes. The social service
department in town gives us a code for each family so that strict
confidentiality can be maintained.
The next year 16 children received new
clothes. We realized this program
was a blessing and so we shared the idea with the other congregations in town.
It caught on. The third year
35 children received three shirts, two pair of pants, socks, underwear, a fall
jacket, and a gift certificate for shoes.
The next year we took the program to an adjacent town and their social service department and their congregations. It caught on!
In 2003 a total of 232 children received new clothes in 6 area towns. In 2005, 363 children received new clothes. God has richly blessed so many people through this ministry of caring… those who receive and those who give.
We brought “New Beginnings” to the New England Synod in September 2004 at one of the workshops at the “Rooted for Life – Creating Healthy Congregations” day in Worcester, Massachusetts.
We have been working hard in the background making contacts so that we may begin our 15th year of ministry. As a reminder: "New Beginnings" provides children in need with brand new clothes to begin school. And yes, just as this school year is ending, we are beginning to think about the next. Last year we were able to help 301 children start school with a bit more self esteem as we gave each of them 3 shirts, 2 pants, 1 jacket, 1 pkg. socks & underwear and 1 gift certificate toward a pair of shoes. We do this lovingly every year as God has given us the grace to do so. As the years have progressed we seem to grow into new communities. Last year we began in Litchfield and this year we are laying the ground work in Cromwell and Goshen. You never know where God is going to lead us in this ministry of "New Beginnings".
“And it is He who will supply all your needs from His riches in glory, because of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Now unto God our Father be glory forever and ever. AMEN!”
Philippians 4:18-20
· “Operation Christmas Child"
Our congregation has been an avid
participant in the “Operation Christmas
Child” ministry. This
out-reach ministry is a part of the Samaritan’s Purse program.
Shoe boxes are filled with as many items as possible which are then
shipped nationally and internationally to children in need.
The “OCC” boxes are
sometimes the only “Christmas” that some children ever experience.
The people of our congregation gather the boxes together on the last day
of the appeal and we sing a blessing which we hope will be carried into the life
of every child receiving a shoe box. Sometimes
folks will insert a picture and brief letter into the box hoping for a
response. We have received three letters from children in far-away lands
who are grateful for the blessing that has come into their lives.
· Mission Support
Our congregation also gives away a portion of our income every year to the New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. That money helps to fund the ministries of our synod and of the larger church.
In
addition,
the people of this congregation respond whenever there is a need.
It happens with wonderful regularity that someone will place in the
pastor’s hand food vouchers, gift certificates, and cash with the whispered
words, “for whoever needs it.”
And so the life of the faithful continues on around this place… with
extraordinary generosity the people of God share what God has first given them!
