We Got It Going On!

This is an article which appeared in the October issue of the Wheatland Parish Newsletter.

            I wrote last month that, while we think of spring as the time when everything becomes the new, the new church year really starts in the fall.  Over the last month, we’ve had lots of things happening in our parish, and we need to take a little time to acknowledge them.

            What follows is not a complete list by any means.  If I left something out that you’re a part of, don’t think that I consider it unimportant.  These are just some things that came to my head as I was writing this article.

            The annual Mission Fair was last month.  Over half of the value of the mission kits collected at that Mission Fair came from this Parish.  That’s tremendous.  People worked very hard to make that happen, and it’s wonderful.

            The Gettysburg church will host a concert by the Black Hills Gospel Quartet next month.  This will be a wonderful chance to hear the word of God in music.  We’ll be having a supper ahead of it, so this will also be a wonderful chance to have some food and some fun.  Best of all, it’s all free, with just a free will offering asked by the Quartet.

            The Onida church hosted the Community Christian Youth Group in September.  This is an amazing group.  They put on a contemporary Christian worship service once a month that is incredibly well done.  If you have not attended one of those services yet, be sure to do so next month.

            Our churches will be collecting for Shoebox Christmas this month.  This is a chance to help make sure kids without much money can still have a really happy Christmas.  There’s a list of recommended items elsewhere in this newsletter.  Please give as much as you can for this project.

            October is domestic violence month.  The Gettysburg church will be collecting items to give to Safe Harbor, a domestic violence shelter based in Aberdeen which covers Potter County.  The Onida church will be collecting items to give to Missouri Shores, a domestic violence shelter in Pierre which covers Sully County.  Domestic violence is a much greater problem than most of us probably realize.  Please give generously to this project as well.

            The Onida church is resuming its women’s Bible study this month.  Details will be given later, but it’s open to the community.  This is a wonderful chance to get together with people from other Christian faiths, to get different perspectives, and learn more about God.

            The Gettysburg church is donating a room in the education building for use as a food pantry.  This is another problem that is probably much greater than most of us realize.  People don’t generally advertise their need for these services, but the need is still there.  We’ll let you know when the food pantry is up and running.  Once it is, please help spread the word about it so those in need can use this valuable service.

            In mentioning these things, I don’t want those of you who are part of the Agar church to feel slighted.  The Agar church contributed to the Mission Fair and contributes to other mission projects as well.  It has special music nearly every week, has strong lay involvement in the worship service, and is a dedicated group of believers.  The Agar church is a very valuable part of this parish.

            Again, this is not a full list by any means.  Space prevents us from mentioning the Sunday school, the youth groups, the U. M. W., some of our other Bible studies, and a lot of other things.

            The point is that lots of things are going on in this parish.  Let’s celebrate them!