“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)

I’m neither an orphan nor a widow, but I have been on the receiving end of much kindness throughout my life. My mom put herself through nursing school while raising three young kids, and our community (sometimes even strangers!) did a great job looking after us. 

One year, our family received gifts from the local Angel Tree at Christmas. I don’t remember what exactly the gifts were, but I remember my mom’s reaction to them: gratitude, happy tears, and relief. When we were a bit older and our mom was working 12 hour shifts as a nurse, folks from our church made sure my brothers and I always had rides to and from each service and youth group activity. They helped teach us how to drive when we got our permits, they made sure there was enough money to send us all to church camp each summer, and they chose us first when they needed babysitters and yard work done. 

In college, I was gifted my first car by a couple who knew I wouldn’t be able to afford one on my own. I will never forget the feeling of driving myself back to campus all by myself in my very own car. Gratitude, happy tears, and relief!

These are just the biggest ways we were cared for, the ways that stood out to me as a child, teenager, and young adult. There were countless other ways we were looked after, some I was aware of and some not. They all affected my life in very real ways, and I’ve carried the gratitude with me ever since.

Sometimes we Christians are the best at extending thoughts and prayers…but not so much putting action behind them. I’m so very thankful for the members of my childhood church who chose to act in addition to praying when they saw our needs!

There’s good news for you today: Chatham Church offers plenty of opportunities to put your faith into action! Our DARRT (Disaster and Relief Response Team) regularly helps those who need assistance with lawn care and home maintenance. Our Congregational Care team brings meals, sends cards, visits, and in general spreads love and joy to those in need throughout our church family and community. Chatham Serves is a great way our entire church puts our faith into action–many opportunities to serve are available on 6/18.

Chatham Serves sign ups are live! Click HERE to sign up. 

Contact the Congregational Care team at care@chathamchurch.org

To volunteer for DARRT contact John at jep5@cornell.edu