KID'S KORNER

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

It's summertime. The time of warm weather, vacations, swimming, time outside, and just a more laid-back atmosphere. But is it for everyone? Most of my newsletters have been about the church and what your role is as a member of St. Mark's. Now I ask you, what is your role as a community member, a neighbor, a person living in this world?

Throughout the day we are bombarded with negative news about what is happening in the world. Whether it be political, weather-related, or war news. I feel I can be overwhelmed and refuse to look at social media and the news to give myself a break.

The Bible verse above tells us that we will have tribulation here on earth. This is so secret, and we know that God is still with us during these times and I believe fighting even harder for us. But what should we as Christians be doing during these times? If you were in church on July 13, Janet Lewis preached a very good sermon on WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR? If you were not there or did not watch it, I ask that you take time to do so.

The basis of her sermon was the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan. I've heard it many times throughout my life and the meaning of it was always helping others. This time I walked away with so much more. Not just to help others but who those others are. It is not up to us to decide who should be helped and who should not. We are all GOD'S children and therefore we all deserved to be helped.

So, I ask you not to turn off the news or social media or any other platform that is used. It is important that we know what is going on in the world. I ask you to turn off the labels that are used. Jesus did not use labels. He helped the women at the well, ate with a tax collector, and told stories like the Good Samaritan to teach us to not label people but to help them and be there for them.

Being a member of St. Mark's UCC we have several easy paths to help people provided to us. Whether it be through One Great Hour of Sharing, Disaster Relief, or the special collections we do as a church to help our community. I ask you to choose one and not worry about the label someone might have placed on the person receiving it but just know they are a child of God and therefore deserve help.

1 John 3:17 "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"

Blessings from your Consistory President

Heather Stone