A FAITH COMMUNITY/ A Rescue! A Faith Community that Needs a Miracle: Part 2 (Post 148)

TUESDAY, MAY 31

Post 148

“Why do you continue to pray about this when you’re the answer to this prayer?”

How many times do we shake our heads and wonder: Why can’t something be done about IT ? Definitely, our society is filled with perplexing (and often horrifying) conditions and situations. Sadly, that’s been more common than not throughout the ages. Homelessness, joblessness, violence, injustice … all tough to deal with, much less to solve; and devastation continues. Last month, I mentioned blind-spots that faith community members may experience with regard to rear-view perspectives. Moreover, the faithful may wait for divine providence – and wait, and wait. What we may not see are open doors to opportunities to act and share God’s provisions. In April, I asked, Where does faith lead a congregation to move beyond the past? I’ll add now: How can faith lead a congregation to become an answer to their prayers?

Once again, I turn to a real-life example of a faith community that has experienced – and continues big-time to do so – an amazing provision of divine love. This is the story of “Park Memorial: A Catalyst of God’s Love” (Cultivate, A Publication of the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church, Spring 2022, pp. 22-23; inumc.org/newsroom/cultivate-magazine/ ). Twelve years ago money was set aside from the merger of two United Methodist Churches. Seven years later, a call for help came from a local homeless shelter facing an unpaid sewer bill. Several weeks before, Pastor Moon had been praying about the victims of homelessness. See the reply, in the above bolded statement in italics.

The answer to his prayer came immediately when he called the church board together and they (unanimously!) voted to purchase the shelter. After all, the finances were already available – since the merger! Notice, that was the Fall of 2019 … COVID came soon after – and so did many who sought a place to quarantine. Medical teams and grant funding provided just the help that was needed. Since then, the shelter has developed three programs: Emergency Housing, Housing Permanency, and Life Skills, in addition to a well-rounded staff: executive director, case manager, intake specialists, chefs, maintenance personnel, and others. AND through it all, the church members love and connect with those being helped.

It’s no wonder that Park Memorial’s shelter is named Catalyst Rescue Mission!

Bishop Woodie White often preached within his sermons about how the faith community can be a rescue mission post. Park Memorial UMC is being just that.

For years, I have spoken, preached, trained, and written about the ways that local houses of worship can reach out to persons affected, directly and indirectly, by problem gambling – and other addictions, as well. Below are a few of these suggestions. As one very wise, seasoned pastor told me at the onset of Gambling Recovery Ministries, Janet, there will be some very relieved individuals who realize that their pastor has helpful knowledge about addiction and recovery … and who cares!

THE “DO”s CHECK LIST

for a Gambling Recovery Faith-Based Community’s Outreach

Confidentiality is a must. Reassure persons seeking information/help that information shared by them will be kept confidential.
Provide plenty of printed information. Have information in accessible locations within your facility. Always include helplines and websites for further information to be obtained.
Create a culture of care: concern for the hurting, dysfunctional family dynamics, domestic violence, children’s responses, personal reasons for seeking escape, etc. Strive for an identity of care for your faith-based community.
Reaffirm that ALL affected by problem gambling suffer: the loved ones of problem gamblers suffer, as well. All are in need of information, encouragement, and spiritual support. Be aware of various stigmas against gamblers, as opposed to increased public understanding of substance addictions.

Our role is to be the most effective first responders we can be. We have information to provide, affirmation to give that treatment and support groups can help, and spiritual care to offer. We are potentially within that most significant first step that individuals seeking help may take. However, we are not therapists ... yet we do have vital information and care to share!
Excellent sources for Sermon Notes about gambling addiction and recovery issues are within “The Twelve Steps to Recovery”.
Provide a Bulletin Board for the recovery groups who meet in your facility OR nearby.
Invite persons in recovery to speak within programs and worship services.

For more information on Park Memorial UMC’s Catalyst Rescue Mission, go to www.inumc.org/newsroom/cultivate-magazine/

Read their story; you will be inspired!!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

https://www.grmumc.org

855-926-0761

 For more information on the IGCCB Clergy/Lay Minister Certification visit:

www.igccb.org

From IGCCB’s Resources for Coping with COVID 19:

https://personcenteredtech.com/tmh/clients  (Online therapy preparation for clients) 
https://gambling.easywebinar.live/replay (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)
https://youtu.be/dYUEjIFtT8E (Jody Bechtold telehealth webinar)    