March Outreach from the Outreach Ministry by Paul Jordan
4th Annual Community Conversation on Hunger
On Thursday, March 11h, community members are invited to join the Hunger Task Force – a joint initiative of the URI Feinstein Center for a Hunger Free America and the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale - for the fourth annual “Community Conversation on Hunger.” The meeting will be held at 7 pm at the Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia Road. A representative from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank will present the results of the recently released study “Hunger in America” which highlights characteristics of those who utilize food pantries and soup kitchens in Rhode Island. In addition, Chef Leah Sarris, from Kids First, will be on hand to talk about new initiatives for making school meals healthy, nutritious and delicious!
This is an opportunity to learn about the various initiatives of the Hunger Task Force and to learn about what you can do to help create a hunger free community. Refreshments will be served and everyone is invited! For more information call Kathleen Gorman, 874-9089 or Susan Gustaitis, 789-1559, x11.
Something to think about during Lent
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul. and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. --Matt. xxii 35-40.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. -- Galatians 3:28
In this season of Lent, the Outreach Committee would like all of us to consider the correspondence between the "great commandment" and the sign outside our church saying that "All Are Welcome." How well are we living up to that invitation? Do we welcome some persons to worship with us but hold them at arm's length in our hearts? What feelings or prejudices do we hang onto that prevent us from having a relationship of unconditional love and acceptance with all who seek us out. Do we truly act as though we "...are all one in Christ Jesus?"
While these are not easy questions for any of us, the Outreach Committee humbly asks that all in the Ascension community take time to reflect and pray on these questions over the coming weeks. We’re hopeful that this reflection may bring us to a place where there is no doubt that indeed, all are welcome at Ascension.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. -- Galatians 3:28
In this season of Lent, the Outreach Committee would like all of us to consider the correspondence between the "great commandment" and the sign outside our church saying that "All Are Welcome." How well are we living up to that invitation? Do we welcome some persons to worship with us but hold them at arm's length in our hearts? What feelings or prejudices do we hang onto that prevent us from having a relationship of unconditional love and acceptance with all who seek us out. Do we truly act as though we "...are all one in Christ Jesus?"
While these are not easy questions for any of us, the Outreach Committee humbly asks that all in the Ascension community take time to reflect and pray on these questions over the coming weeks. We’re hopeful that this reflection may bring us to a place where there is no doubt that indeed, all are welcome at Ascension.