It is not when it is smooth sailing that our merit is tested, but rather when things are falling apart. We are approaching the one-year mark of the quarantine and no in-person worship at The Palms. And this anniversary I give thanks for you and the ministry you have done, are doing, and will do!
A colleague recently asked me what The Palms had done during quarantine, adding they felt their church hadn’t done much. As I look back, I was astounded at all that God has done through us at The Palms this past year…
- Installed camera equipment for videoing worship
- Added a third screen in the sanctuary – one dedicated for those leading worship
- Produced Social Justice videos on BLM
- Bought a sanitizing machine for when we return
- Purchased a shower trailer and contracted with multiple municipalities for its use to help the homeless
- Installed a new organ
- Expanded our prison ministry
- Install new doors on both sides of the narthex
- Redid the storage doors in King Hall
- Adapted our in-person Thanksgiving feast to $4600 in feeding the hungry of our community
- Fortified our electronic giving
- Installed new doors for the office / King Hall entrance
- Became a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, Engaged (W.I.S.E.) Congregation for Mental Wellness
- Added new members
- Installed a new security system
- Ordained Debby Stinton
- Secured a gift to reduce our carbon footprint by adding solar panels
- Held more Life-Long Learning classes than ever
- Installed a washer/dryer at the church
- Gave more money to charity than recent years
- Maintain our I-Help ministry
- Help register people for their Covid-19 shots
- Supported Shea Darian towards her ordination
- Built our website up to allow winter friends and others to watch our worship and attend our meetings and learning opportunities in a safe environment no matter where they reside
- Plus a whole lot more!
Wow! Review that list. I’m sure I forgot something! It’s been an amazing spirit-filled year of being The Palms of Jesus! I would have been thrilled in a non-pandemic year to have the church do those things. We did them in a pandemic. When things fell apart, you were The Palms. Thank you for your ministry (your gifts of time, talent, and treasure) which makes it all possible.
Shalom, Paul