1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update
The explorers enjoyed our first rays of sunshine in a while and spent a lot of time outdoors! We spent the week playing different games, freeze dances, and the floor is lava. On Friday, Mrs. Kayla taught in Jesus calming the storm and brought out the big parachute to demonstrate the stormy sea. We then played a variety of trust games to talk about trusting Jesus!
Wednesday Evening Supper Ministry
Begins February 5 at 5:30 p.m.
Our weekly Wednesday evening prayer and study time will be enhanced with meals! The menu for February 5 is lasagna, salad, rolls and cookies (made by that always delicious cookie maker, Tonya Lloyd). See you there!
Jackson Neighbors in Need
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of: canned soup, canned chicken and Boost. To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
Mission Moment 2.5.25
Karen Morrow
CBF Field Personnel, Fort Worth, Texas
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” – Colossians 3:17
When asked “What is saving my life these days,” my response is the smiles and laughter of refugee women. Their resilience and thankfulness for simple acts of kindness bring me great joy.
The old saying “a woman’s work is never done” rings true for refugee women. They are the primary physical and emotional caregivers for their families who have often gone through trauma before arriving in a safe place in the United States to start a new life.
Initially, hope springs forth from the women and then the challenges of navigating life in a new country without the ability to speak English, without an understanding of how our systems work and the difficulty in finding jobs to support their families turn the women to despair. They have given and given and have nothing left to give.
Recognizing that most of these women come from communal societies where life is lived in multi-generational homes, we saw a need to build community support within their cultures and cross-culturally with other women for friendship and support.
This past year, we began Healthy Hearts and Homes—a weekly program designed to use art, music, movement and education to provide refugee women a space to heal while building friendship and community.
Each week, American women gather to share their talents with refugee women—watercolor painting, glass mosaics, string art, floral arrangements, yoga, dance, etc. The opportunity to create is healing and movement releases the tension in their bodies. Communication is limited as most refugees don’t speak English; but through charades, Google Translate and lots of laughter, friendships are formed and community built.
Periodically, we host educational events with translation led by medical professionals on such topics as when to see a doctor, home health care for children, women’s health care and more. The women are eager to learn and thrilled to receive medicines and other medical items.
Walking alongside refugee women as they transition to life here brings me joy. What act of service brings you joy?
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Today, take a moment to consider what life is like for refugee women and the challenges they face. Pray for these women and those serving refugees. Ask yourself how you might be a part of welcoming refugee families. What resources or connections do you have that might bless these families? Ask God to show you tangible ways you can be involved.
Pray. . .Give. . .Go.
First Explorers After-School Ministry Update
We enjoyed a week of exploring a “Winter Wonderland.” Andrew conducted an art class of helping kids draw their own winter wonderlands, and then we did a craft of making them with toothpicks and marshmallows. (Many marshmallows were eaten in the process!) We learned about the water cycle with Mr. Curtis Collins and went on a scavenger hunt to find wintery items. We ended the week with Generation Kids coming and teaching on prayer.
Jackson County Youth Chorus
Sign up now to sing in the Jackson County Youth Chorus! This is for singers in grades 3–8. Rehearsals begin on Monday, March 10 and run from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. each Monday. The end-of-semester concert will be on Friday, May 23. Rehearsals will be held at FBC Sylva. For more information or to register, contact Director Sarah Hall at sfhall3@gmail.com or 704.245.2302. Click here to view an event flyer.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study Continues TONIGHT
Our weekly Wednesday evening prayer and study time continues this Wednesday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. Kaitlyn Cabaniss, our student ministry associate, will continue the youth midweek study that began last week. The Sunday evening college student Bible time has begun! Help spread the word!