Being the Light

As one of your pastors at Hayes Barton UMC, I have been blessed to witness how YOU have shared the light of Jesus Christ to the world. We find ourselves in an unprecedented and difficult place. People must distance themselves, some have lost jobs and income, and we all face the reality of becoming ill. Yet we still have the opportunity to see and share the shimmer of the light of Christ to the world.

Many have asked, just like the first Christians did, “What should we do?” (Acts 2:37). Out of crisis comes action and out of challenge comes opportunity. Here are some ways that you, Hayes Barton UMC, have reacted to a quarantine in the midst of a pandemic.

You have reached out by phone to other members or to those who are alone to uplift spirits and to share a laugh.
You have already responded to the needs of many with multiple food drives to organizations such as Interfaith Food Shuttle and Alliance for AIDS Services. So many food pantries need our support and you can arrange convenient delivery sites so that our members can safely deliver groceries. Food drives will keep going in weeks to come.
You have already written notes to the staff of SAFEchild and A Place at the Table thanking them for their life-sustaining service. We will continue to write notes to WakeMed personnel, to firefighters and other public servants in the weeks to come. Our children (and everyone young at heart!) can be a part of this effort to express love and support for those who put their health on the line for others.
You can help us find needs and how we can respond safely. As a whole church, we can reach out to our community. Though our church acts powerfully in small groups, we can network our Sunday School classes, our circles and convenant groups, the UMW, the UMM, and our Outreach Pathway. Stay in touch with your small group and coordinate with each other. Together, we make a powerful and directed impact for those in need and for those who serve Wake County.
You can also take part in a social distance 5K to support Rise Against Hunger and/or Hearts and Hands for Haiti. Both happen on May 15th. You can find more information at their websites, and when you sign up, make sure to “join” team HBUMC!
Continue to pray!!

These are just a few of the many ways HBUMC is making Christ present to the world. In the coming days, continue to look for how you can get involved with other members of our congregation taking part in these efforts. Please know that the ways you are being generous with your time, talents, and treasures is important and appreciated by so many people.

Also, please be assured that staying home and sheltering in place is a way that you are showing God’s love to others. If you are not able to physically be present for some of the efforts listed above, know that staying home, being vigilant in prayer, and being generous to the church is doing good and is a blessing to others.

Wherever you are on this day, know that you are loved, know that you are prayed for, and know that Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!