United Methodists: “stick-to-ative” for as long as it takes
One does not have to look far within and outside our own congregation to see how our love is “sticky,” as in “stick-to-ative.” Our football coach would say this to the defensive backs meaning that they had to stay right with – stay close to – the opposing receiver going out for a pass until the play was over. Sometimes plays became extended. The defensive back was to “stick” to the man he was covering for as long as it took.
Through our Stephen Ministry, our people, our partner organizations, and our staff, we dedicate ourselves as a church to sticking with people in need for as long as they are in need. Several people have asked me why we are not doing more in relief for the people in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. My response has been, “Stay tuned.” So far, we have taken in some $2000 for our national United Methodist Committee on Relief. That is a modest sum, and only the beginning.
In disaster relief, there actually is an order in which the various Christian groups provide aid. The Texas Baptist Men get headlines because of the excellent job they do in arriving with meal trucks and volunteers within days of a natural disaster, providing immediate and much needed food, water, and comfort. However, various kinds of aid are needed long after the disaster has left the 24-hour news cycle. Our senior high youth traveled this summer to help people in Louisiana rebuild the interior of their homes still damaged by … Hurricane Katrina. That was 2005. Fortunately for those folks and the folks in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, the United Methodist Church will be there long after the world has moved on to the next headline.
Soon, you will see orange buckets lined up along the Grand Hallway. We will fill these flood buckets with cleaning supplies that will be shipped to replenish the Sager-Brown Warehouse in Louisiana, now depleted because of the thousands already sent to people who need them most. FUMC Plano will be a local storage depot for buckets from area UMCs before taken to Louisiana. The offering from our Christmas Pops Concert will be dedicated to UMCOR’s long-term hurricane relief efforts in the southeast. Our Mission Committee is discussing trips to the southeast to assist people in their rebuilding. Of course, you can always donate to UMCOR’s hurricane response efforts knowing that 100% of your gift goes directly to aid.
“Sticky.” It’s what love is – “stick-to-ative” to people in need – not just today, but for as long as it takes.
See you in worship this Sunday.
