This month we have been acknowledging that our formation into the people we were created to be is always for the sake of the world. Last night, we had the joy of learning about serving those struggling with poverty from the Executive Director of Open Arms Ministry, Darrel Washington.
Darrel encouraged us to sit, do, and become. We need to sit with our brothers and sister, to spend time with them and build relationships with people who are different. Only after sitting with someone can we know what we can do. When we begin with a relationship we are not just doing something for someone, we are doing with them. When we have sat with someone and learned how to served them, we are able to become one, unified in Christ, with our brothers and sisters.
Darrel left us with these three questions to ponder.
- What opportunities is God giving to me to sit with people who are different?
- How can I be certain what I am doing is beneficial for those I serve?
- How am I becoming one with others in my community and in the larger world?
Kingdom Practices
My prayer for our community is that we would be attentive to the way the Spirit is stirring within us to join God’s kingdom work in the world. I want each and every one of us to be able to name how and where we are serving the kingdom. I want people to look at the Practice community and say, “Those people are contemplatives in action!”
So, let’s continue to listen to how we are being invited to join God’s kingdom work in the world and respond to God’s invitation. How are you serving the kingdom?
As we seek to join God’s kingdom work, Darrel shared some opportunities to join the work he is doing with Open Arms Ministry.
- We can give financially here.
- As a small organization, much of the work is done through committees. There are opportunities to serve on the following committees:
- Finance – to insure all finances are handled properly, including day-to-day finances, audits, taxes, and investments.
- Fundraising – to raise funds through grant writing, individual donors, special events, corporate/foundation giving, etc.
- Outreach & Engagement – to build, maintain, and retain a base of volunteers, establish relationships with colleges and universities for internships and service opportunities, and build relationships with the business community, like-minded organizations, as well as local, state, and federal governments.
- Communications and Marketing – to get the word out and create branding for Open Arms using social media, web, newsletters, and other online spaces.
- IT – to support Open Arms’ IT needs including website design, maintenance, building a client database, data analysis, etc.
- Open Arms also has multiple open seats on its board. There is a need for people with the passion and experience to help advance the vision and reach of Open Arms Ministry.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, you can email Darrel at [email protected].