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A mid-week word from Pastor Julie...
Dear Friends,
It has been a joy to meet some of you over the last week at Ashland Place. For those I have yet to meet, I look forward to getting to know you. My name is Rev. Julie Hare, and I am your new Minister of Community Care. I hope to shine a light on care ministries already happening here and expand our reach both within our congregation and the community. I can already tell that Ashland Place is a church that cares for everyone and I am thrilled to be a part of it all.
One of my favorite authors is the late Rev. Frederick Buechner. His words speak right to my heart again and again. Reflecting upon what Jesus means when he asks us to love each other, Buechner writes,
“Be the light of the world…Where there are dark places, be the light especially there.
Be the salt of the earth. Bring out the true flavor of what it is to be alive truly. Be truly alive. Be life-givers to others. That is what Jesus tells the disciples to be.
That is what Jesus tells his Church, tells us, to be and do. Love each other.”
Frederick Buechner, The Clown in the Belfry
That is it. That is the call. Be salt and light and life-givers to others. That is what it means to care. That is what it means to live for God in the world. That is what it means to love each other as Christ loves.
This week, I invite you to consider where you are already actively caring for others in our congregation and community. How can you invite others to join you in your efforts? How can we expand upon what is already happening in and through Ashland Place? And then I want you to dream big. What do you wish Ashland Place would do to be salt and light and life givers in our church and community? How can you help us to better love God and others?
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me to share what you are already doing and any dreams you have for community care. I am excited to grow this ministry with you!
With Joy & Hope,
Rev. Julie Hare
jhare@apumc.com
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