May 14, 2026

While scrolling on Facebook earlier this week a Woman Touched by Grace (WTBG) friend was reaching out to folks in another city to see if they could assist with coordinating some grocery shopping, meal prep, light housecleaning. It would have been easy to scroll past the post and think, surely someone else will respond. Yet, I was moved to text this friend and say, “I know WTBG women in this city, let me know if you would like me to make a connection.” The response was, “yes, please.” With nearly 100 WTBG women throughout the world (some live in Canada and one is in Korea), we are in many cities. Even though I was part of the second group, I have connections with women from all five groups because I pray for one woman each day in a rotating schedule.​

I sent an email to all four women (the requester and the three in the city of need). From this simple email, I was able to connect one woman with a group of women who have connections and know resources to help her family member. It would have been easy to see this post and swipe on by, thinking, “Someone else will surely help… I do not have time to get involved…. This is no concern to me… I do not live in that city…” I chose to engage and make the connection, allowing these women to coordinate in their own way.

Sometimes it is the simple things we do without much extra effort that makes the biggest difference. Yet, we may be hesitant to act. We may think our effort is not needed. We may think someone else will show up or volunteer. Maybe we have convinced ourselves that we are unqualified. Siblings in Christ, we are the ones we have been waiting for.

On Sunday, we have our annual meeting. Please show up! This is everyone’s opportunity to hear about how we are engaging in the world around us, both near and far. There are still openings for folks to join the Church Council. I have heard it said how council meetings have been contentious in the past. This has not been my experience. In the coming years, we, as a faith community, will need to make tough decisions. As the elected leaders of the congregation, the Church Council will facilitate these discussions.

Our current giving does not sustain our current ministry. What will we do about this? How is God inviting us to respond? These questions will not be answered on Sunday. However, as we build the budget for 2026-27, this will need to be part of the conversation. We are not in a crisis and let us not wait until then to begin imagining how God is inviting us into the future.

As followers of Jesus, we are to do what we can, when we can, where we can, trusting in the ripple effect of our care spreading beyond our individual reach. The welcome totes were certainly an example of reaching out to help folks we do not know. The way folks actively donated items, asked other vendors to contribute and helped fill the totes is an example of spreading care. The first three totes were picked up this week, and the new residents will shortly be receiving the keys to their new home. In each tote is the welcome home cards we decorated last Sunday. Simple things make a difference as we share the love of Jesus with others. Thank you for your partnership.