Chapel Hill UMC News and Events

Chapel Hill UMC serves meals for homeless Friday, March 9, found six of the Chapel Hill UMC family serving those within another family, at The Stew Pot at The Bridge. Archie and Iris Shivar, Pat Moore, Margaret Young, Jose Ramirez and Ruth Medcalf had said “Yes, I can do this.”

I want to share what the afternoon was like for some of us. As me, going to serve at The Stew Pot for the first time was a step outside of what might be called my usual comfort zone; something I had never done before and did not know very much about. I did know that God wanted me to do this, something that I been needing and wanting to do. Ruth and Archie had served before and I wanted to serve with them. I’m ever so glad that I went, especially with my Chapel Hill family. Now I know that serving at The Stew Pot is something that I can do! When I saw faces that were so young I thought “but they’re so young”, I thought of my former students and wondered how they’re doing now. When I saw the aged faces I thought of my own father and thanked God for taking care of him. I told myself that each person is a child of God and thanked Him for taking care of that person.

Margaret Young shared with me so I could share with you, “I have served before and I do it because it is a real need. In my early marriage years, Carl and I had to have assistance for a short time so I know what it was like to be helped so we could get back on our feet. Many of these people need help just for survival and if we can help even a little bit we are following the message discipleship.”

Pat Moore told me,”This was the second time for me. I had been in the Summer and served dinner. It’s very interesting to watch the faces of the people as they go thru the line. Some show despair, some relief to be out of the elements, others thanks for the meal and for the volunteers who help serve. I guess that sums up why I like doing this; the simple things that change a person’s day.”

Ruth Medcalf said, “Mom, serving at The Bridge makes me appreciate what I have. I poured the water both times that I have gone to The Bridge, by doing that I interact more with the homeless. Some of them thanked me for being there and serving them and one man said that I had a good smile and looked happy. That made me feel appreciated. I am glad that I took time out of my day to go and serve others who are less fortunate than me.”

When you see Archie and Jose ask them about the time they served at The Stew Pot. Chapel Hill UMC will have an opportunity to serve again at The Stew Pot during dinner June 1 and July 6. Till then, to learn more visit www.thestewpot.org/meal.asp. While I was writing this I had to stop and read Matthew 25: 33–46 and Romans 8: 28

~Iris Shivar for our Outreach Team

Gainesville Epiphany Reunion and Giddings Epiphany 19 Weekend

Greetings brothers and sisters in Christ, john 1: 12-13 says those who receive salvation become god’s children.

On Tuesday march 13, 2012, I went to Gainesville for a devotion reunion with the young boys at Gainesville state school (prison). When I went to the gate I was told, you can’t come now there’s a problem inside and we’re not letting anyone on campus or out. I was asked to wait as a precaution and when things are ok I could come in. Well, I said a quick prayer for the boys and waited because sometimes these things happen. After about 15 minutes we were allowed in and went to their dorm also they still gave us the time we lost due to the incident (praise God)..At the end I asked the boys, could I share a story with them that one of our church members shared with me. I told them he said to me “David I think this would help those boys you go see at the prison” and I promised him I would share it with you. The boys said, “Yes sir We don’t mind.” It ‘s about a young man who lost his job, home, and a broken car and he made some wrong choices and when it caught up to him and he was on his way to jail, God intervened and he was forgiven by the people he did wrong because of agape love. The name of the story is a special Christmas story...thank you Bob Tatum for bringing the story to our ABC Sunday school class.

Now Giddings Epiphany 19, the boys were very upbeat and engaged. We had a few problems getting them there but when they got there the team was ready. We had a few boys drop out at the beginning because they changed their minds and didn’t want to be there. Well that happens too, but they were replaced by three more boys and the spirit moved on. On my way down to Giddings, Texas on the back country roads, I’m sure I saw all the animals that were at the manger with Jesus but God's country is still a sight to see.

Chapel Hill UMC I love Jesus sign language I will share my “close to Christ moment” with you from the weekend. We found out that we had a boy who was a deaf mute. But they found another boy who knew sign language and he did hand signs for the deaf boy the whole weekend. My moment was when they both came up to accept wooden crosses. Our clergy asked him in sign language do you love Jesus and he signed yes I love Jesus. But the tears started rolling in the chapel when the deaf boy turned around and faced the congregation and opened his mouth and made an (ahh) sound and waved to say thank you. We were moved. He had not tried to say anything the whole three days.