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Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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April 13, 2015: Holy Conversations Update

 

Since our last update, the Holy Conversations Team has been out interviewing members of our community. We have been able to visit with individuals from Cabell Elementary, Metrocrest Community Clinic, Dallas Medical Center, Farmers Branch City Council, Farmers Branch Police Department, Farmers Branch Fire Department, Brookhaven College, RL Turner High School, and other community residents.

The goal of this research is to better understand the questions, “Who is our neighbor?” and “What is breaking God’s heart in our community today?” We compiled the feedback and the following are some of the needs that were shared:

  • Pre-diabetes, diabetes, and high cholesterol are common issues and preventative programs focusing on diabetes education, healthy cooking, and exercise are needed
  • People either don’t have health care or can’t pay their deductibles
  • Lack of access to dental and vision care
  • Spiritual care volunteers needed at hospital
  • Area seniors need to be driven to church
  • Parenting programs needed
  • Kids unsupervised after school
  • Schools need back-up uniform closet

There are resources available to address some of these needs, but there is a lack of awareness among some of our neighbors of how to take advantage of these services. A number of organizations that we spoke with volunteered to offer programs if we found a way to invite the community to attend them. The ability to communicate in Spanish was mentioned several times as a way to better connect with the community to address these issues.

We want to hear your thoughts on possible ways our gifts and talents could be used to make a difference for our neighbors. To include as many as we can in the conversation, we will be visiting Sunday School classes and other church committees/groups to share more details and, more importantly, get input from you. If we don’t catch you in a small group setting, then please share your thoughts to Pastor Mai, any member of the Holy Conversations Team, or send them to our team email address.

Our team has committed to daily prayer at 7:00 a.m. to help better discern the difference that God is calling our congregation to make in our community. We invite you to pray along with us for the next month.

See you at Worship on Sunday!

~ Your Holy Conversations Team

 

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EPHESIANS 3:18

I wish above all things that you may know how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ for you.