Fill… Spill… Thrill…

During the 2009 Synod Assembly, Bishop deFreese asked mission centers/congregations to share what they do in ministry with and among the poor. Below are excerpts from just one of the many responses the Bishop has received.

This past year, Immanuel’s ministry among the poor has included the collection of nonperishable goods to various local pantries such as Project Hope, Together, Inc., the food bank and other emergency services.

Immanuel’s women’s organization made hundreds of quilts to send overseas and collected new underwear and winter clothes for the needy. More than 100 shoeboxes full of stuff are sent to Operation Christmas Child each year by Sunday School classes. The Lutheran Men in Mission often send gifts to the synod’s prison ministry. This year, Immanuel helped to set up a duplex and provided supplies for a refugee family of five from Somalia.

Congregation members give more than $2,000 a year for the pastor’s discretionary fund - the vast majority of which is given to help people in desperate situations. People cannot always be rescued from major financial crises, but sometimes they can be provided just enough help to get them through the week or to the next paycheck.

Lisa Kramme
Director of Faith Formation
Nebraska Synod, ELCA

There was a song I learned at Girl Scout day camp years ago. We sang it as a round, and the words were, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” Maybe because we sang it in a round—over and over and over—or maybe just because it had a simple message and a sweet tune, I can remember the words and melody like I sang this song just yesterday. Maybe I remember the song because it’s true. It is good to make new friends. It is good to remember old friends. Each has value. Each can add new dimensions to my world.

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