SOUL BUILDERS IS GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRESENCE & PRESENTS FOR OUR PROJECT

Do you see a connection between the story about Jesus and the loaves of bread and fishes and the Soul Builders Sunday School class’s monthly donation project? Could the connection be presence and community?

The story of Jesus’s miracle to provide for the 5000 is a reminder for us to be present to offer our resources to our community, not to hoard them unto ourselves but to share so that there might be enough for all. Jesus did not provide filet mignon and asparagus tips. He provided the basic foods of the day. He did not provide an overabundance. He provided enough. Much as God provided manna for the Israelites waiting in the desert. God is present in our lives and gives from unlimited resources for our needs. In turn, we are to give from our resources to our neighbors in need. As God loves us, we are to love our community.

Our project started in February 2021 to provide where we saw a need, caused by the injustice that feminine sanitary products cannot be purchased with food stamps. We felt these items were basics, not luxuries. We wanted to be present to do what we could to fill a void. We asked for you to help us. Your response was so overwhelming that we decided to continue the project for the rest of that year, identifying a different agency partner for each month. You have continued to remain present with us each month. In February 2023, our project entered its third year.

In the past two years, through your generosity and presence, our church has provided 5,130 needed items to our agency partners. The agency we support each month identifies for us four essential items for the clients they serve. Then we ask you to fill our donation bins with what has been requested as you are able to do so. In the past two years, you have given 5,130 items.

Our agency partners are the Center for Respite Care, Found House (formerly IHN), MEAC, Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH and Northern KY, New Life Furniture Bank, Rothenberg Academy, State Avenue UMC, Wesley Chapel

by Peggy Schmitt

Mission Center, and Wesley Education Center. In January 2023, we added a new partner, La Soupe. They requested basics such as lentils, lasagna noodles, cans of marinara sauce and cans of diced tomatoes. They use these items in their classes for high school students and teachers. The goal of the classes is to show those attending how to cook for themselves and their families easily and economically. By the middle of the month, Jan Betts and Susan Crossland, from our class, delivered to La Soupe 50 pounds of products (a total of 104 individual packages or cans)—all given by you. In the following week, you refilled our donation bins with almost as many items as were contained in the first delivery. Bless you!

To help us thank you for your generous presence, here are the words Meals on Wheels posted on Facebook about the items we delivered to them, collected during December 2022:

“A very special thank you to the members of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church who collected winter hats, gloves, scarves and socks for our seniors. With the weather turning colder, there is a huge need for these items, which will be distributed to those in need at our Over-TheRhine Senior Center and senior housing residences this week. Their bodies are warmed by the donations and our hearts are warmed by the generosity.”

We hope you have seen the new donation bins at both door entrances from the parking lot. They always display information about the items needed for the current month. They are just awaiting your presence.

Soul Builders meets each Sunday at 11:00AM in Room 205. Sheila Brown, who has been a member of our class for more than 25 years, feels “it is a very important part of my Sunday worship experience. From sharing and praying over our joys and concerns, it provides a strong small group community. We challenge our thinking on spiritual and real life issues with the books we read, and continually strive to find ways to make a difference.” Your presence is always welcome!

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First Friday Fellowship, 11:00am

Lenten Jazz Vespers, 7:00pm

Lent Retreat, 8:30am-1:00pm

Sisterhood breakfast, 10:00 am

New Members Class, 12:30 pm

Strategic Planning Retreat, 3:00pm

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Found house hosting

Maundy Thursday, 7:00pm

Good Friday, 7:00pm

Easter Sunday, 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:30am

Church closed for Easter

Sisterhood Breakfast, 10:00am

Strategic planning retreat, 3:00pm

Organ Concert Series, 4:00pm

Three Choirs Festival Concert, 7:00pm

Primary/special election

Congregational Hymn Sing, 4:00pm-5:00pm