Loving Our Neighbors
Last Thursday afternoon, a woman visited the church. She couldn’t speak any English, so we couldn’t understand why she came here at first. Then, she showed us a flyer that we offered to Washington School to inform of our After-School program. We realized then that she came here to apply for her child to join the program. According to Helen Smith, as our supervisor of the After-School Program, 14 students have already contacted us. After meeting with the Spanish speaking mom and reviewing how many have contacted us, I realized how great the need is for an After-School program around us. We actually began to prepare for the school program in uncertainty. But now we know that there are people who need help and support. And I believe that they are the people whom we love according to Jesus’ essential command – “Loving God and loving our neighbors. (Mark 12:30-31)”
It is not just the After-School Program. In order to keep the command, our church is also doing and planning several other programs. Koinonia Café, Agape Dinner, Diaper Drive, Back pack Drive, Halloween Night, UMCOR Sunday, and other occasional support programs. Especially, this summer, Vacation Bible School is back again, which stopped for several years due to the pandemic. We are blessed! We are grateful! This is how we make our church mission and ministry for “Loving our neighbors” more blessed and more grateful. It is for all of our church family to be a part of these missional programs. Not by some of us, but by all of us, we can glorify the name of God and participate in the body of Jesus Christ. We need each of you for the mission of God toward the Kingdom of God. I invite all of you to be an essential part of God’s mission through our church ministries for the world. Amen.
Pastor Jinha Choi
First & Wesley United Methodist Church