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Again another year has passed and many families within our church family have experienced the pain of loss and bereavement. We, as the catering teams, extend our deepest sympathy to all of you who know this reality personally. We want you to know that you remain in our thoughts and prayers long after the last cup is washed and put away, and that we count it a privilege to minister to you at such a difficult time.
It has been around five years now since we started to offer the ministry of catering for mourners after a funeral. I call this a “ministry” because we do it out of our love for God and out of heartfelt compassion for you who have been bereaved. We do not have a set charge because this is ministry, with every one of our volunteers giving their time and energy willingly and without reserve. We have realised, however, that families so often wish to show their gratitude in a tangible way and so we are able to support missions and ministries at home and overseas through your generosity. This is a wonderful thing to be able to do out of such sadness, and many people have expressed their gratitude for your generosity. These donations are given to the catering ministry voluntarily through the Church Office.
This year we have been able to support the Touch Team, the Friendship Hour, the developing Banner Ministry, the Ladies’ Fellowship and the Minibus Fund, from which so many benefit in our own Church. Overseas we have been delighted to support Max and Edyglaucia again in their study for ministry in Brazil, Habitat for Humanity in Kenya, and the McIlwaine family serving with Interserve in Jordan. We are also in a position to support our young people and encourage them as they go on outreach teams to various destinations. We wish them all God’s blessing and protection as they seek to serve Him elsewhere. These benefactors deeply appreciate the support the catering ministry has been to them.
Finally could I, once again, thank all those who so willingly volunteer and give of their time and talents to make this ministry happen. The friendship and fellowship we have had over these years has been another positive effect of the catering ministry and I am deeply thankful for your partnership in this way. Without your love for the Lord moving you in this way, your compassion for those in sadness and your willingness to help we could not minister to so many people in our Church Family.
May God grant us all the strength and desire to keep ministering to those in sorrow in the years ahead.
If you are interestEd in volunteering please speak to Janice Hyndman, Winnie McBriar or Sally McBriar.
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