Ensley’s Ensights
Fall = Mission Season
Recently, in his second week of work as the new executive director of National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (we know it as Woman to Woman), Rod Williams met with me at the behest of his board of directors. They were conscious of our long covenant-al relationship with this Long Beach agency, and wanted to ensure it will continue. In this issue, you will find a thank you note from Dixie Dohrmann, executive director of Christian Outreach in Action (COA), which we assist with our monthly dinners, frequent collection of clothing, donation of funds, and $200 a month in Smart & Final scrip. The founder of Food Finders, Arlene Mercer, contacted me to thank us for the opportunity to speak in worship July 20, and our church’s donation to assist in their food distribution.
These agencies, and their directors, are grateful to you, the congregation of Bay Shore Church, for your continued support of their efforts to provide a better life for men, women and children here in Long Beach. They serve people who are in recovery, those needing a transitional living place, the hungry and homeless, those undergoing a difficult time. In these tough economic times, Bay Shore Church has continued to support these, and other agencies, with our regular support. Regardless of whether there is grant funding available, our church has been a consistent and dependable support of their good work.
As all of our church activities resume in full swing this week—Sunday School, Chancel Choir, Bay Shore Bells, every commission meeting, fellowship groups—so too do we begin our mission season. For years, I have observed that two-thirds of our mission projects are done in the period between Labor Day and Christmas. We just completed the backpacks for Lincoln Elementary School. October 5 is Neighbors in Need offering and Third World Handarts. October 19 is CROP Hunger Walk, followed by Project Love. November 2 is Third World Handarts. November 23 is our annual canned food drive. December 20 is the distribution of gifts, toys, clothing and furniture to our annual dozen adopted Christmas families.
Not ready for fall? Sound like too much too soon? The Missions Commission met a week ago to designate the dates for each of the above, who would be making announcements about them, and who would be in charge of each project. We know that with the addition of our annual stewardship/pledge drive in the middle of this season, you need to make decisions about the projects in which you wish to participate. I hope you will give thoughtful consideration to these opportunities, because it’s obvious from the thanks—such as above—directed our way, that people are depending on us. And the people of Bay Shore Church always come through! Bless you for it.
Senior Minister