“They’re Christians, They’ll Bring Casseroles!”

…so said Liz back in March, when I was marooned in Cornerstones because of my wrist injury. But she’s right, we do have a responsibility to give practical love and support as well as spiritual comfort. The epistle of James reminds us

Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.

Providing for the needs of others has been an important principle since Jesus sorted out the wine at Cana and the bread on the hillside. I have been thinking about this a lot recently. I have concluded we’re called to help globally, locally and personally.

Globally – Christian Aid Week has come and gone – but the work lasts all year. Today we are hosting a Crafty Coffee Morning at Church.
The money we raise will help people on the other side of the world, who we may never meet – but it is still important for us to show love and support where we can.

Locally –there may be people in our local community we can help – particularly if nobody else does. Bob and I recently watched “The Overnighters”  Someone reviewed it on their blog a few weeks back, so I checked it out [thank you – I am so sorry, I cannot remember which blog it was!] It is a documentary about a community in North Dakota which had been overwhelmed by an influx of men and women seeking work in the new ‘fracking industry’ and how the pastor of the local church responded  [Interesting reviews here] The film won awards at The Sundance Film Festival, and it is very thought provoking. Not going to post any ‘spoilers’- but the Pastor’s Wife is an absolute Saint, and maybe all pastors-in-training should watch it.

Personally – when friends go  through a testing patch, whether good or bad [illness, new baby, bereavement, moving house] then a casserole, shepherd’s pie, or fruitcake can prove a real blessing – especially when words may seem trite or unhelpful.
And I thank God for the thoughtful people who put those casseroles and pies in foil dishes with instructions [so that the recipient can freeze it to cook later, and doesn’t need to worry about returning precious plates or Pyrex] …and those who also supply a carton of custard to serve with their apple crumble. I am praying that one particular home back in Leicestershire is going to be especially blessed in the next few weeks with such signs of love.

shelter for those who have lost their homes
support for those who have lost their dignity
some special meals for children who’ve just lost their Mum

All of these are part of the work of God’s Kingdom.
My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? 

update - thrilled to hear that my friends have been supplied with meals in these past few days - I always knew the good folk at KMFC would be there to help!