For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. – Ephesians 2:10
From the desk of Tamara Skov, Mission Chair:
One of my favorite activities has been learning more and more about St. Andrew’s long tradition of mission work. At our recent Mission Committee meeting, we began with each person describing a moment of mission that inspired them then, and continues to inspire them today. Around the table people shared their memories of serving lunch to students at St. Mike’s or putting together potluck dinners with Llamada Final or walking in the Alzheimer’s walk wearing a St. Andrew’s T-shirt or financially supporting a school in the Middle East – these and many more. Each of these moments remains with us as times we lived out our faith as the hands and feet of Christ.
While the pandemic changed the way we do mission, the work continued. Meals at Transition House, feeding our neighbors, financially supporting Presbyterian missions and missionaries – these continued although sometimes in a different way. As the pandemic forced us to re-think how we do almost everything, it also offered us an opportunity. As the whole world slowed down, we found opportunities to appreciate what we have, time to discern what we take with us into this “new normal”, and what we add back into our lives.
As difficult as the last year and a half has been, I find myself focusing more and more on this sense of renewal. While we are not back to normal and we still don’t know what that will look like, we have time now to discern what that means for us personally and for our church family. Over the next weeks, the Mission Committee will look at continuing our work and thinking about new good works that we can take on. If you see a need or a project that we can be a part of, please let me know. Or better yet, come to a Mission Committee meeting! The next one is scheduled for Thursday, December 9th at 6:30 pm.
I am excited to move forward together, in faith, carrying out the good works prepared for us.