Happy Tuesday, church! Or probably Friday or Saturday, when you’re reading this. Happy whatever day it is!
So there I was a couple of weeks ago, minding my own business, when Shannon Ernst and Jackee Stewart from Social Services asked me to come to a meeting on Monday morning at 8am. All they would tell me is that it was good news, and they wanted me (and by extension, you) to hear it before it came out in the media. (!!)
Friends. THERE IS SO MUCH GOOD STUFF HAPPENING! The current DA’s office is being transformed into transitional housing apartments, to really help folks get on their feet and into permanent housing. We have needed this FOREVER, for so many folks who have to wait months to get into an apartment. Halleluia!
And there’s more. The former Blue Sky Thrift Store downtown will become the Community Health District office and testing lab, and the place next door will become the new Social Service office AND DROP-IN CENTER! This is something I was thinking Epworth should look into, but they are already doing it! It will have facilities for laundry and showers, addiction and mental health counselors, a “quiet room” in the back for folks to rest, grab-and-go food, and more. It sounds amazing. And all inspired by what we’ve been doing here at Epworth, and the needs they became aware of because of the time they spend here connecting with our guests.
Of course this doesn’t solve every problem. But wow is it a monumental improvement. A place to connect easily to all kinds of services (I hope to offer spiritual care there, too), and to be safe out of the heat and the cold during the day. They think it should be completed early next summer.
Next week, a bunch of us from all different groups here in town are meeting at the Senior Center to share experiences and ideas about hunger, and I invited Shannon to be there and tell everyone the news. It’s a group Kelli Kelly and I started just a few months ago, and includes folks from Epworth, New Frontier, Fallon Youth Club, the Senior Center, the Tribe, Churchill Community Coalition, WNC, and a bunch more. We’ll have a lot of new things to talk about now!
Here’s a really interesting question: what might God have in store for us? What new ministry might God be calling us toward, if the showers and laundry and place to hang out during the day are no longer needed? Fallon Daily Bread and the Pantry will continue to be essential, but what else?? Pray hard, friends, and keep your hearts and minds open to hints and touches and pushes from God. The Spirit is moving! Halleluia!
Spring up, O well!
Pastor Dawn
Worship Everywhere!
“In Endless Song” part 5, Transformation
This is what it’s all about. This is why we worship, why we sing, why we cling to Jesus Christ and follow: because in Christ, everything is made new. Each of us is made new, and all the world through us. This week, we’ll hear songs and stories of transformation from musicals like The Lion King, Les Miserables, and Come from Away. We pray you will hear and see and feel God in all of it. As you prepare your heart for worship, you might like to read Psalm 23, especially verses 5-6, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and John 10:10.
See you Sunday morning at 9am. Remember to find us on YouTube so that you can watch live from home, or join us on KVLV radio on AM980 every Sunday beginning at 9:30am. If you have ideas or questions, or if we can be in prayer for you in any way, please call the church at 775-423-4714, or call Pastor Dawn directly at 775-671-5553. We’d love to hear from you.
Friday Night Prayer and Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina is an ancient, special way of reading and praying with Scripture. Most people who try it find it deeply meaningful. Join us live on YouTube every Friday night, at 7:00pm.
News and Fun Stuff
