Step away from those wimpy bags, M'am.

I finally figured out that the fabric bags people keep handing out… the ones with their logos on them… are supposed to be grocery bags. Not sure what took me so long to get “with it” but better late than never. So, in an attempt to stop hoarding those lame and wimpy plastic bags, I decided to really use those fabric bags when going to the store. I have never done this before. I was so dedicated to this idea that I put several fabric bags in the back seat of the car to be sure I had them. Great idea, in theory, that is. I was hoping this would operate like the giant freezer storage bag that’s in my trunk for when I go to Sam’s Club and have frozen food or meat and I am not able to make it home right away; keep the bag in the car and you’ll have it to use when you need it. Right?

Thus far, the score is about 7 to 0. That is, out of seven trips to the grocery store I have yet to use a single fabric bag. And this occurs to me when I put my groceries, in the lame and wimpy plastic bags, into the back seat of the car right on top of the pile of fabric bags. How effective is this?

At the same time it has occurred to me that this could become a study in that dreaded word: change. I am now walking in lock-step with the way I’ve always done it for years and years. I have, at the same time, attempted to set myself up to behave in a different way (fabric bags in car), seeing the wisdom of the “new thing,” but I continue my lock-step march toward hoarding more and more wimpy plastic bags. This is just absurd.

Using those wimpy plastic bags will not be the death of anyone. But making the change sure seems smarter, and it also guarantees I won’t end up on the show Hoarders because I have A LOT of those bags hanging around here. And even though I’ve gotten good at “re-using” those, I still see the wisdom in the next logical step: fabric bags.

It makes me think of the church and a favorite excuse for not making changes we know will be for our own good (and hopefully the good of others): We’ve never done it that way before. Some say those are the seven last words of a dying church. This is a lot more serious than my issue with fabric grocery bags.

But it reminds me that change can be tricky. Change can be resisted even unintentionally. Which brings to mind my final point: the fabric bags need to be moved from the back seat to the front seat. Perhaps when the intended change is front and center… I’ll remember to seize the day and grab the fabric bag before heading into the store.

Confession of a Negligent Blogger... and news....

By definition, I think blogging in the blog-o-sphere means you post really regularly because time online goes event fast than time in the real world, right?  That makes about as much sense as how times goes fast the older we get. That, I finally nailed down. You see, if you are 10 years old, one year is one-tenth of your life; whereas if you are 40 years old, one year is 1/40^th of your life. It is a much smaller slice of life and therefore it “feels” quicker. Get it?

So, in reality, it really hasn’t “FELT” like I haven’t blogged in a while because I am more than 10 years old. But, I apologize none-the-less.

Now, to reward you for reading through this nonsense… I will offer this:

On the Threshold of Soup Kitchen

Attica United Methodist is just a step or two away from Soup Kitchen final approval from the Health Department. That being said, I say, “For such a time as this, Lord?” With the State of Michigan poised to cut families off from support on October 1, our group of faithful servants hopes to be offering a community meal right around that time. We probably will start out two times a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays… details will be announced once we pass final inspection and we etch more items in stone.

In asking the question “If your church left town, would you even be noticed,” I am pleased to reflect and remember the people who attend our Food Bank. I am excited for the faithful followers of Jesus who come regularly and serve there. And, I’m excited for the new volunteers who will take part in this new Soup Kitchen adventure. 

Steps of Faith... in food ministry

The disciples at Attica United Methodist Church are on a new adventure… an adventure to expand our food ministry.

We began about two years ago by hosting a food truck. The need is great: 19 percent unemployment. So, we started out by hosting a Food Bank two times per month, serving about 60 people per month. That grew; and during our peak months about 140 people are served. And this is amazing in our township of under 5,000 people.

Other needs continue to challenge us and we respond. Two of our disciples are now ready, willing and able to help a client sign up online for a Bridge Card (aka food stamps). Other connections are made in our community and during this past November/December the Vocational/Technical Center provided us with whole chickens to give away. Financial support has come from both far and near. Rep. Kevin Daley, an Attica guy at heart, donated funds to help us. Even our friends at the Lapeer Meijer’s helped by featuring our Food Bank and granting us funds.

And, most importantly, our clients know we are generous.

Meanwhile, one of our disciples working at the Food Bank, felt pressed by God to research what it would mean for us to take on serving a hot meal one day per week. Approved by our board to do this, she set out to connect with the local Health Department to begin a list of what it would take.  

Frankly, I thought we would end up needing to do fund raisers for a few years to even get the commercial equipment required. But, God has a way of making me smile and letting me know I ought not to take myself too blasted seriously. God also has a way of reminding me WHO is in charge. (And it certainly is NOT the Pastor at Attica United Methodist!)

Lo and behold our list of what is needed is short and attainable. And, in talking about our Dinner at Attica Methodist project, volunteer workers are starting emerge both from our congregation and even from other congregations!

By far, we are not the largest congregation in Lapeer County, but we certainly can do BIG THINGS, when God is in it! And perhaps part of our work is to offer to others to come alongside us and serve God’s people… and through THAT even more disciples will be made!

God has indeed cleared the way for us to begin this work and by the time all our ducks are in a row, we expect to be serving hot plates of food for dinner well before Easter!  

 Be blessed!