Charity Begins at Home

{ June 9th, 2009 }

givingxsmallIt is often said that “charity begins at home”. That is not how United Methodists think of themselves. Through something that we call “Apportionments”, each United Methodist church contributes a portion of what they receive to programs and ministries in the regional area (for example, Southern California and Hawaii), nationally and internationally. We do this because we believe that the gift of Jesus Christ should be spread as much as possible around the world. To do this, each local church contributes to the costs of those programs and ministries. Here at Moreno Valley, we are asked to contribute $20,000 per year. This not only helps feeding programs and places
like Africa University in Zimbabwe, but it also helps to provide for pastors who are retired and now must depend upon the church that they have served to help support them. If you have questions about what Apportionments are and why we pay them, please ask Pastor Roy who will be glad to give you an answer.

(NOTE: If you wish to contribute to our apportionments, you may simply indicate that on your Offering Envelop under the heading of “Benevolences”, which is the same thing as Apportionments.)

A Prayer

{ June 9th, 2009 }

prayerxsmallLet me be aware.
Let me not stumble blindly down the way,
Just getting somehow safely through the days,
Not even groping for another hand,
Not even wondering why it all was planned,
Eyes to the ground unseeking for the light,
Soul never aching for a wild-winged flight,
Please, keep me eager just to do my share.
God-let me be aware.

Let me be aware.
Stab my soul fiercely with others’ pain,
Let me walk seeing horror and stain.
Let my hands, groping find other hands.
Give me the heart that divines, understands.
Give me the courage, wounded, to fight.
Flood me with knowledge, drench me in light.
Please-keep me eager to do my share.
Lord, let me be aware.

~ Anonymous