Rev. Leslie Ann Knight
Fircrest United Methodist Church “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
(John Wesley, English Evangelist, founder of Methodism. 1703-1791)
Woven throughout scripture is the requirement that the poor – especially widows, orphans, and foreigners – be treated with respect and fairness, and not denied basic needs. The people of God are to draw persons in need into their circle of concern and care – and justice.
Outreaching ministries are not “fix-it” solutions. They are love put into action, and generators of hope for the future. Fircrest United Methodists engage with other congregations in outreach ministries that strengthen our community in a variety of ways.
We provide a Clothing Closet year round. In the fall, we distribute school uniforms and school supplies. Sometimes clothes help a person to gain or maintain employment. For youngsters, adequate clothes can help school success, personal confidence, and building friendships.
Twice a year, we host families who are moving toward employment and independent housing through Phoenix Housing. The church provides breakfast and an evening community meal. Families sleep in classrooms. At the end of the week, they move to the next host church.
We participate in the Paint Tacoma Beautiful project each year. New paint and clearing of overgrown shrubs give pride to a homeowner, and strengthens a neighborhood by maintaining housing values and safety.
Our collection for the food bank is given its place of prominence at the entrance to our worship space. We stay in touch with what foods and other items are needed, and that keeps us sensitive to the particular needs of our neighbors. The Hunger Walk is in the bulletin and the sign-up table is out. We enter to worship with an awareness of hunger in our community.
May all of us be blessed with a “Holy Hunger” to see everyone in our community fed in body, mind, and spirit.
