As part of the Lenten season, every year as a community we consider the invitation to live a life of generosity. Historically, charity to our neighbor and the poor is a Lenten practice. And especially now in a time of pandemic with widespread anxiety and economic uncertainty , the call to love our neighbor is paramount. This is why as followers of Jesus, we are called to resist our selfish inclination to stockpile and instead choose to give generously! This is admittedly a challenge in light of rampant fear, empty shelves and long lines at our local Costco store.
This week, as the serious ramifications of the Coronavirus escalate in our city, I reached out to some of our friends at the City of Shoreline asking how we can help. We know that with the school closures, the burden on working families, especially at or below poverty, will be great. The big needs are food for families, childcare for working families, workers without sick leave, and supporting income loss for small businesses.
While many in our community are hoarding and stockpiling, we want to move in the opposite spirit of generosity. Heck, maybe we'll even give away toilet paper! And we are not alone! I have been overjoyed to see how many people in our community are stepping up to support small businesses, offer their skills and take care of neighbors in this time.
PRACTICE GENEROSITY
So through this Lenten season, we are asking you to be generous to your neighbors in need. Turning Point programs are also now closed and we will be collecting funds to continue to offer support to our families who will be adversely affected, many who find themselves out of work. We will be giving grocery cards to these families along with warm smiles, board games, and snacks. You can give a physical donation of a gift card or you can choose to give through our Tithe.ly app and select <Lenten Generosity to Neighbors in Need> and your funds will go towards our neighbors in need.
Now is also a wonderful opportunity to make a commitment to regularly give to The Practicing Church and to be a part of what God is doing in the neighborhood! You can invest in faithful presence here in our community and partner with what the Spirit is up to in us and around us. You can let us know you are participating by filling out our online form or a generosity card at our gathering.
We urge you to resist fear and greed and instead to commit to the radical generosity and sacrifice of love!
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods [i.e. toilet paper] and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. [I John 3:16-18]
by Jessica Ketola
This week, as the serious ramifications of the Coronavirus escalate in our city, I reached out to some of our friends at the City of Shoreline asking how we can help. We know that with the school closures, the burden on working families, especially at or below poverty, will be great. The big needs are food for families, childcare for working families, workers without sick leave, and supporting income loss for small businesses.
While many in our community are hoarding and stockpiling, we want to move in the opposite spirit of generosity. Heck, maybe we'll even give away toilet paper! And we are not alone! I have been overjoyed to see how many people in our community are stepping up to support small businesses, offer their skills and take care of neighbors in this time.
PRACTICE GENEROSITY
So through this Lenten season, we are asking you to be generous to your neighbors in need. Turning Point programs are also now closed and we will be collecting funds to continue to offer support to our families who will be adversely affected, many who find themselves out of work. We will be giving grocery cards to these families along with warm smiles, board games, and snacks. You can give a physical donation of a gift card or you can choose to give through our Tithe.ly app and select <Lenten Generosity to Neighbors in Need> and your funds will go towards our neighbors in need.
Now is also a wonderful opportunity to make a commitment to regularly give to The Practicing Church and to be a part of what God is doing in the neighborhood! You can invest in faithful presence here in our community and partner with what the Spirit is up to in us and around us. You can let us know you are participating by filling out our online form or a generosity card at our gathering.
We urge you to resist fear and greed and instead to commit to the radical generosity and sacrifice of love!
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods [i.e. toilet paper] and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. [I John 3:16-18]
by Jessica Ketola
USE THE TITHE.LY APP!
Giving just got easier. We know you don't carry cash and checks are becoming obsolete — so now you can give anytime, anywhere! You can make a donation on your phone or online! Live a life of generosity and invest in God's dream in the neighborhood!
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