Grace that shatters the things that bind us

BY REV. TRACEY IVY

October is National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. People from every walk of life are committed to equipping individuals with knowledge and support to make intelligent choices, ensuring healthier lives, and steering people clear of harmful pitfalls; Southern Hills UMC is no different.

At Southern Hills, we partnered with Light of Hope, a nonprofit ministry that assists and educates individuals and families struggling with substance misuse; on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Southern Hills UMC hosted a Fentanyl town hall to raise awareness about the two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl. Both are considered synthetic opioids, and the misuse of them is happening in our communities and across the nation.

We see these town hall trainings as an outreach and an opportunity to get to know our neighbors, build relationships, and raise awareness about this deadly force that robs us of friends and loved ones. From an outreach perspective, it is an opportunity to reach those in our community who might not otherwise hear about Jesus’ love and plans for their lives.

When you think about the opportunities to host and get involved with the Fentanyl and Narcan training, you quickly realize that it aligns with the core Christian values of love, service, and compassion. It allows us as the church to support those in need actively. It builds positive relationships within the neighborhood and demonstrates our faith through tangible actions.

Ultimately, it helps us fulfill the mission of caring for the community as Jesus did. Isn’t that what loving our neighbor is about? Isn’t that what inviting people to the table looks like?

Everyone wants to be seen and valued. When people know that you see them and value them, not what they can give you or where they are in life, whether on top of the world, somewhere in the middle, or down in the valley, they will let down their guard and open up to you.

We all want to experience the grace that shatters the things that bind us. Southern Hills seeks to share God’s grace by loving our neighbors and building solid relationships in our community.