August 18, 2021 Weekly Update
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It’s been hard to miss the international and local headlines hitting the news over the last week or two. We’ve witnessed wildfires impact our neighbors and local communities. We’ve seen another devastating earthquake strike Haiti, a nation in political turmoil that is still recovering from their last major earthquake just 11 years ago. And after 20 years of a U.S. military presence in Afghanistan, the Taliban once again has control over the country. The progress achieved by the sacrifice of our military veterans on safety, democracy, education, and women’s rights seems like it’s eroding overnight.
I tend to feel some despair during weeks like this. It’s easy to be pessimistic and concerned about the suffering and plight of our human family. But as the Body of Christ, we follow a risen savior who acted upon his feelings of compassion and invites us to act, too. What can you do this week to help make a difference in the community and our world?
- This Saturday from 8am-2pm Bigfork Community United Methodist Church is hosting an indoor/outdoor rummage sale on their campus (750 Electric Ave, Bigfork). All proceeds will benefit local firefighters and fire relief efforts. Many firefighters in Finley Point lost expensive equipment that will need to be replaced.
- Our United Methodist Committee on Relief is assessing the situation on the ground in Haiti and beginning to deploy funds to local partners from the “International Disaster Response and Recovery Advance Fund.” This fund is a pool of donations that UMCOR uses to make quick, impactful grants in the immediate aftermath of disasters. You can donate by going to umcor.org and click give, or go here: https://umcmission.org/umcor/standing-with-haiti-amid-quake-and-storm/
- Attend worship this Sunday and learn about the mission work of Valley Neighbors, a new organization in the Flathead Valley that is helping a family of Central American asylum seekers experience stability, peace, and new life in the United States. They work closely with Soft Landings, International Rescue Committee Missoula, and Love Lives here. Read more here: https://www.valleyneighborswelcome.org/
Blessings,
Pastor Jared