The role of the church in the world is to continue the ministry of Jesus. We are continually trying to understand how we can do just that in the community we live in. We pray that our community and world would be better because Pathways exists.

Over the past few months, the community service dream team has been exploring this very idea. I personally have been thrilled to see the heart of the people on this team – we’ve had no shortage of ideas and passion. Through all of this, we’re attempting to focus our efforts in a few immediate areas where we believe that we can make a difference.

Starting in June, we will have a blessings barrel at every weekend gathering. Each month, our community will fill the barrel with different items to help needs that we become aware of. In June, we will begin by collecting new twin sheet sets, pillows, and crib sheets for the Everett Gospel Mission.These will help provide bedding for families who might otherwise be on the streets. Every Sunday in June, the barrel will be available for you to drop off these items. Terrie Heyart and Cyndee Baldwin are coordinating the barrel each month, so if you are aware of other needs that it might go toward, let them know.

We are also working to put together a time when each home group can go and serve together at the Everett Gospel Mission during one of their normal gathering times this summer. We think Everett Gospel Mission is doing a great service in our area, and we want to partner with them to meet their needs as they serve others. I’m thankful that Catrina Coulson and Chuck Aplin are working with them to help us put this together.

We have a few other projects in the works, but the details aren’t yet in place, so I’ll share more as those get hammered out. Until then, thank you to those of you on the community service team for dreaming with us. I hope that this is just the beginning of many ways in which Pathways continues the ministry of Jesus to those around us.