Matters of the Heart and City

Children matter.

Elliott missed the offering, so he & mom came up during the closing hymn. They put a bulky business envelope in the offering plate.

They caught my eye and their action captured my attention. I just smiled at this simple, graceful witness.

Over lunch, I discovered that the envelope contained one-third of the money from Elliott's piggy bank. The third to SHARE was $3.00 in change. He looked at me across the table as he told the story. Then 5-year old Elliott said, "That's a lot of money!"

It was. And even when it was "a lot", he joyfully gave it. He shared so kids could go to Heart of the City Freedom School, so hungry people could eat a meal at Manna Cafe, and so homeless families could have a safe, secure place to stay at the Inn at Broad.

He captured me anew and inspired me for generous giving!

It was only three days later at the National Day of Social Action that 350 children and adults from 8 Freedom School sites in the city of Columbus gathered at Broad Street to rally, march, and deliver letters to legislators.

The children from the Heart of the City Freedom School at Broad Street were among them. One of them, Dominique, wrote a powerful letter. In it she implored Senator Sherrod Brown to not cut federal funding for education. In her letter she spoke of the power of school in her young life. Then she said, "If the budget is cut, where will the next Albert Einstein or Professor be?"

I was reminded again what Jesus taught us so long ago. "Let the children come!"

Children matter every day in the heart of the city.

-- Pastor David

On Wednesday, July 13 our Freedom School Scholars showed that they do have a voice. With more than 300 present, we held a rally in the Broad Street United Methodist Church sanctuary and then marched our way down to the Ohio State House to deliver letters to our elected officials. Our scholars spoke out on why education is important to them and why we must not sacrifice their future by cutting education funding.

Please view the video below.

--  Joey Heath, Project Director

Young Adult Service Project  

On Friday, July 8, Christian, Kevin, and I toured the Inn at Broad and figure we have about two days of work to fix up the apartment for the new resident who will be moving in soon. We're looking for volunteers on Friday, July 22nd and Saturday, July 23rd to renovate the apartment.

Friday evening, July 22 at 7 p.m., we'll clean and prep the apartment, and perhaps even put up some primer if we have time. Saturday morning, July 23 [time TBA], we'll paint. If we still have work to complete on Saturday afternoon, we'll continue until we finish.

Let us know when we can expect you, and we'd love to see you next weekend!

-- Ken Schoon

Legal Clinic Report

For the first time in the memory of anyone who has attended the free monthly Legal Clinic, the July outreach was conducted in the gym. Although it was warmer than usual and noisier in the gym than we're used to, the services provided by volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law students were not hindered. Thirty-two individuals received assistance with their questions and legal needs.

The next Legal Clinic will be provided on Thursday, August 4, 2011. The Clinic will be held either on the 2nd floor or the 3rd floor of the church. The time for the Clinic is from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. You must arrive at the church by 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the Clinic. If you arrive after 6:30 p.m., you may not be able to be seen by an attorney that evening. As always, there is no charge for the services provided.

-- Teresa Scharf, coordinator

Servant Leadership Update

"What does God require of me in response to the needs of others?" Walter Wink, one of the authors whom we study in Servant Leadership class, challenges us with this question.

When you think about the needs of your community - the folks at Broad Street, your family and friends, Columbus, all of Ohio, and more - do you ever feel a pull or a nudge from God to respond? And then, when you feel the nudge, what do you do?

The nudge could be as simple as a kind word, or as grand as a life-changing ministry. It could be an offer of help to a neighbor you know could use a hand, or volunteering your time in a new thing you've never tried before. It could mean meeting a very small need that makes a world of difference to someone else. The good news is that God nudges us or calls us to do the things God knows we are ready to take on.

I often struggle with the feeling that God wants me to do things I don't have the time, energy, or resources for, but when I let that worry go and trust in God I find that I have ENOUGH of what I need to do God's work in the world. Today, when so many are struggling to pay bills, to find a job, to keep their households afloat, let us come together as a community. Let us ask of ourselves what we might be able to do to make a difference right where we are. Most of us don't have the opportunity to make changes on a national scale, but we all have the chance to take simple and meaningful action when God asks it of us.

I encourage you today to take note when you feel that nudge from God - when we all heed that divine inspiration, we can transform the world.

-- Bridget Simpson