Very soon, the wonderful lights of Christmas will be taken down and put away. It’s been exciting, comforting and uplifting to see all the lights around us. They give us a strong feel of enthusiasm for celebrating! Lights make us happy! One light, the light of Christ does not get put away. The light of Christ has shined within us since our baptism. His light points the way to salvation. His light not only gives us happiness but also gives us a passion to love others, share His light and serve. Another word for this type of happiness is PASSION. Passion is an emotion that requires action. Passion keeps you going no matter what hurdles you may face, or lie ahead.
Everyday I am blessed to see passion in action in LWML sisters. Becky Hoffman, Facilities Director of Grace Lutheran Church in LaPlata, Maryland is on fire with passion for Mites! She has developed a program to involve the entire church, especially the children in daycare and Sunday School, in collecting Mites for our LWML missions. It is inspiring to witness her love and light for Christ, her PASSION, as she shares her concept. Attending the Christian Life Retreat gave her the discernment, insight and motivation for beginning her passionate project. What a phenomenal way to ignite Grace to live Matthew 28 and Go and Tell through intentional Mite collections.
We recently awarded Mission Grant #5 to Peace Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C -CHOT: Changing Hearts One at a Time: Uniting the Community for Christ! How many of you have cared for incontinent loved ones? I will never forget when an ambulance crew came to take my Dad to the hospital; a crew member complained about my Dad’s smell, and that he had wet himself. As a former EMT volunteer, I know EMT’s are exposed to all kinds of smells as they tend to those in need; however complaining is never part of the medical response! The comment by that volunteer hurt; however, my Dad needed to get to the hospital immediately. Now think about Ward 7 of Washington D.C. where Peace Lutheran is located. Think about children who are abused, bullied, poor, ill, and....? In situations at school and home, when stressed, they wet themselves. Not all in Ward 7 have access to a washing machine, clean clothes, or even soap, and must come to school soiled and smelly. This leads to more embarrassment, more harassment and more denigration of one’s worth. Women of Peace, Denitra Hawkins, Yvonne Brown, Kathleen Mobley, Etta Watts as well as Rev. Lloyd Gaines have recognized the children’s inescapable plight and have acted to relieve their suffering. This Mission Grant will help CHOT to provide clean underwear, other essential clothing and soap. It also provides opportunities for the women of Peace to reach out to parents, teachers and most important, to the children with the Light of Christ.
What light will you be sharing in your neighborhood? How can you bring the hope of Jesus as the source of light in Christ? Lift us up and inspire us by sharing your actions and passions as you reach out to share the light of Christ. Email me, clmacon@aol.com, your actions of light and passion that will be shared with and inspire LWML sisters in our Chesapeake District. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is heaven. Matthew 5:16.
God Bless YOU with His incredible Love, Joy and Light in the new year!
In Christ Alone,
Christine Maconachy
District President, LWML Chesapeake District
Everyday I am blessed to see passion in action in LWML sisters. Becky Hoffman, Facilities Director of Grace Lutheran Church in LaPlata, Maryland is on fire with passion for Mites! She has developed a program to involve the entire church, especially the children in daycare and Sunday School, in collecting Mites for our LWML missions. It is inspiring to witness her love and light for Christ, her PASSION, as she shares her concept. Attending the Christian Life Retreat gave her the discernment, insight and motivation for beginning her passionate project. What a phenomenal way to ignite Grace to live Matthew 28 and Go and Tell through intentional Mite collections.
We recently awarded Mission Grant #5 to Peace Lutheran Church, Washington, D.C -CHOT: Changing Hearts One at a Time: Uniting the Community for Christ! How many of you have cared for incontinent loved ones? I will never forget when an ambulance crew came to take my Dad to the hospital; a crew member complained about my Dad’s smell, and that he had wet himself. As a former EMT volunteer, I know EMT’s are exposed to all kinds of smells as they tend to those in need; however complaining is never part of the medical response! The comment by that volunteer hurt; however, my Dad needed to get to the hospital immediately. Now think about Ward 7 of Washington D.C. where Peace Lutheran is located. Think about children who are abused, bullied, poor, ill, and....? In situations at school and home, when stressed, they wet themselves. Not all in Ward 7 have access to a washing machine, clean clothes, or even soap, and must come to school soiled and smelly. This leads to more embarrassment, more harassment and more denigration of one’s worth. Women of Peace, Denitra Hawkins, Yvonne Brown, Kathleen Mobley, Etta Watts as well as Rev. Lloyd Gaines have recognized the children’s inescapable plight and have acted to relieve their suffering. This Mission Grant will help CHOT to provide clean underwear, other essential clothing and soap. It also provides opportunities for the women of Peace to reach out to parents, teachers and most important, to the children with the Light of Christ.
What light will you be sharing in your neighborhood? How can you bring the hope of Jesus as the source of light in Christ? Lift us up and inspire us by sharing your actions and passions as you reach out to share the light of Christ. Email me, clmacon@aol.com, your actions of light and passion that will be shared with and inspire LWML sisters in our Chesapeake District. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is heaven. Matthew 5:16.
God Bless YOU with His incredible Love, Joy and Light in the new year!
In Christ Alone,
Christine Maconachy
District President, LWML Chesapeake District