Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti sauce and pasta.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
1st Explorers After-School Ministry Report
We celebrated the end of the year with a lot of outside play, four square, basketball, wall ball, and—of course—our end-of-year party complete with hot dogs, ice cream, Pen Pals, and even a couple parents! Kaitlyn had plenty of outdoor games to play that the adults got to join in on. We all had a blast!
Mission Moment 5.28.25
Alden Gallimore
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Altavista, Va. and Navy Reserve Chaplain in Training
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?"
– Micah 6:8 (NRSVUE)
What is saving my life right now? It’s a big question, and one I struggle to answer. I could say many things are saving my life right now. I often tell my congregation that we live during a difficult time in history and the evening news is sure to remind us. My hope is that the other contributors and whoever reads this will have a more straightforward answer by the end.
If I had to choose one thing right now, it would be the personal growth and meditative moments created through reading books. As a minister, part of my role is to offer meaningful reflections for my congregation’s spiritual growth. However, sometimes those meaningful reflections can be hard to find for my own development and respite. This is where the reading of books fills a life-giving need for me.
I’m sure many people could say they enjoy reading; but there’s one difference: I’m not really a reader. As a child, I would often fall asleep while reading anything. But as an adult and now as a minister, when I find an interesting book that provides meaningful reflection, I can’t put it down!
Lately, I have learned to carry the book I am currently reading wherever I go, just so I can read another chapter at every opportunity. Through this habit, I have learned more about the world and myself in a way that screen-based content cannot offer. Once I finish a reading session and put the book down, I feel more refreshed and prepared to take on the world!
Of course, I’m sure you are curious about what I’ve been reading. Lately, there have been two books that have made an impact: David Gushee’s Still Christian and Forgive for Good by Fred Luskin.
I was late getting to Still Christian; so many of you have already read it. What resonated most with me is that while we may sometimes feel alone in our ministry efforts, we are not. Balancing Baptist life in a post-evangelical world while still serving in the evangelical realm is burdensome, to say the least, but I am grateful to know I’m not alone in my role. In what feels like a world of fundamentalists, it’s a challenge to be a different kind of Baptist.
Pray, Practice, Ponder
Before you continue with your day, go read something. It can be anything. Take a book off a shelf, fire up your e-reader or find an interesting article. You’ll be glad you did. I’m sure something will speak to you, because now you are looking for it. Remember that you are not alone in this world.
Pray...Give...Go.
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti sauce and pasta.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!
1st Explorers Summer Camp
Summer Midweek Meals—New Information!
Our midweek meals have been an amazing source of food and friendship. There’s nothing like listening to the laughter of a newborn baby, but the joy in our fellowship meals comes pretty close. Our gatherings have curtailed during the summer months with these exceptions:
June's midweek meal will be June 18.
July's midweek meal will be July 16.
Our August gathering will be Sunday, August 17 (details below).
Save the date!
Our August gathering will be held at the Deep Creek Pavilion on Sunday, August 17,
from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Come join in the fun!
We will restart our WEEKLY meals on Wednesday, September 3
(which is the Wednesday following Labor Day).
Office Closed for Memorial Day
The office will be closed next Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day as we honor our heroic brothers and sisters of the military who have gone before us.
1st Explorers Summer Camp
Giving the Jesus Way
United Christian Ministries is in need of spaghetti sauce and pasta.
To donate items, please drop them off at UCM’s building at 191 Skyland Drive. Thank you!