A Word From the Pastor (October 2009)

Then the King will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed
by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick
and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. "Then the righteous will
answer him" Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty
and gave you something to drink..." And the King will answer them, "Truly I tell you,
just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me." (Matthew 25:34-37,40)

Dear Friends in Christ,

Every now and then I will hear someone question whether the church is doing enough to help others in need. The question is an important one. In truth, we can never do enough. The needs of our world are so much greater than our available resources. The challenges of today loom large before us, yet by the grace of God, we are able to touch the world with love.

Our small food pantry does not provide the quantity of food assistance that large government funded pantries can offer, but our pantry is a godsend to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Often food pantries only allow someone to receive help every 4 to 6 weeks. For those who run out in the meantime, we are there. Most pantries require you to come and pick up your food according to a set schedule. Often my children and I will deliver to families who have no transportation or I will meet food recipients in the evening or on the weekend if their work schedule requires it. Government funded pantries may have particular income-based criteria for offering assistance that don't take into consideration a personal emergency (sickness, a death in the family, a lay off, marital separation). We have the freedom to help people who are having a short-term emergency but may not qualify for assistance elsewhere. Our pantry may be small but it fills a vital gap in the community.

Through our Emergency Assistance fund, we also help families and individuals with basic needs. One young man who works in construction has known the challenge of sporadic work. We have helped him and his wife and two children with gasoline for his car so he can get to job sites and with an occasional car insurance payment. Not so long ago, a mother we have helped in the past had the opportunity to acquire Section 8 housing. This opportunity meant better, more affordable housing for her family. We were able to assist with her security deposit so her family could have a brighter future. A formerly homeless man, disabled from 9/11 recovery work, has struggled hard to pull his life back together. He is now settled in an apartment and seeking treatment for his mental and physical issues. This summer when things got tight for him, we were able to give a little toward his August rent.

Some families call seeking very specific help with items that can't be purchased with food stamps such as shampoo, detergent, deodorant, toothpaste and feminine products. Over the year we have assisted people with utility bills, with necessary prescription payments, with school supplies for Fall and with particular clothing needs. Some individuals return to the church for help on a monthly basis. Others may call just once or twice a year. Still others have just a one-time need. But as our Lord said, "Truly I tell you just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."

I share this information so that all the members and friends of Fishkill United Methodist Church will have a sense of the unseen work that Christ's people in this church accomplish. We may have limited resources. By God's grace, however, we are making a difference in the lives of people who need a little hope, a little encouragement, who need to know that someone cares. May we continue to serve our Lord Jesus by reaching out to our neighbors in need.

Yours in Christ's Service,

Rev. Peggy Ann Sauerhoff