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Greetings!
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Beth Jayapalan and her family in India |
They gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints. 2 Cor 8:3-4
For most of us our monetary giving is private. Kingswood is a place with lots of opportunities to give of your time, talents and resources, some more visible, such as singing in a choir. In our scriptural context for today, Paul is telling of the giving of others and encouraging the Corinthians to be even more generous with at least a portion of the money collected going to Jerusalem. Kingswood has provided me with the opportunity to grow my faith through study, teaching, movie group discussions and special seminars, just to name a few. With mission opportunities, I have been given the chance to give to others, but... surprise... for those of us who have met the recipients we have also received, love and much more. Some of the most generous people both in spirit and giving can be those with the least, as in the story of the widow's mite. Let us be so challenged to share the love of God in this ministry.
Why Jerusalem? I have been privileged to represent Kingswood at Annual Conference and other District and Conference events bringing back information and stories to share. Just as Kingswood has helped birth many local congregations, so Kingswood was birthed with the help of other United Methodists. We are a connectional church and so we work to generously support the ministries here, but also have a responsibility to the wider church and new church starts, to support them. A portion of our giving should go there. We have reaped from others, so let us sow, that others might reap.
May Kingswood be blessed and be a blessing!
~ Beth Jayapalan
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