MAKING A DIFFERENCE: HAVE YOU? HAVE I? (Post 168)

July 24, 2024

Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.
-Thomas Carlyle

A good number of years ago, a friend invited me to do a speaking tour about Gambling Recovery Ministries and how individual congregations can reach out to persons affected directly and indirectly by problems with gambling. We visited several churches and, also, a specially appointed community pastor. It was a fantastic time in Upper New York State meeting folks and introducing them to another outreach of ministry focus. Moreover, they were not the only ones learning something new! A Seneca Falls side trip, provided an insight that has continued to encourage me to this day.

Site of the first Women’s Rights Convention (1848), Seneca Falls, New York, is home to the Seneca Falls Historic District. I knew a bit about the Women’s Suffrage Movement but little did I realize how many years and numbers of people did such efforts stem back in America. Exhibit after exhibit described individuals’ selfless contributions and countless local meetings and regional conferences. Such pioneering work was overwhelming!

I came away from there with not only deep appreciation and admiration but also affirmation that each endeavor of outreach counts! Years may go by and suddenly there is a message or chance(?) encounter affirming some piece of information recommended or explained within the context of GRM’s ministry … then too, how many unknown realizations/recognitions/results might there be!

Still, it is 2024 – 23 years into GRM’s outreach – and yet I and my colleagues continue to hear of few (or nonexistent) responses from those in need of recovery, the loved ones of persons with gambling disorder, faith communities, clinical and prevention professionals and, yes, State legislatures. Yet gambling has grown to be an expected part of cultural normalcy. Again, I take heart from the brave Suffragette heroes’ efforts … yes, it, painstakingly, can take time. Moreover, most of those pioneering souls are not remembered, specifically, by name … but within the cumulative efforts, their work succeeds.

I am encouraged, also, by my Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Gam-Anon friends who faithfully attend recovery meetings and follow the 12 Steps. Notably, the Twelfth Step affirms outreach and encouragement to others in need, thus expanding the message and continued work of recovery: Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers / to others.

Finally, I think of so many nameless and lesser known persons sited in scripture who actively shared their faith during the early, early time of Christianity’s beginnings. Here are some examples: 3 John 1:11-12; Acts 11:26; Romans 16:1-27; Acts 20:1-38; Acts 6:1-15. In Phillipians 4:3, Paul includes a request : to help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers …

I will close with these affirmative words of wisdom from William S. LaSor:

God does not work through a nation collectively; He does not just work through a big church or a big Sunday School class; He works through individual men and women who are faithful in their work.

GRM IS STILL A FRONTIER MINISTRY!!!

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)    

 For more information on gambling disorder and recovery issues, go to: