Dear Family of APUMC,
If you hear nothing else from this week’s newsletter, hear this: our neighbors are hungry.
First, as a matter of congregational care, a “meal train” sign-up has been created for our beloved friend, Nancy Scott. The link for your support can be found below. Thank you!
Second, it was an impactful day of witness and service at the Dumas Wesley Community Center this morning. Today was a food distribution day through the ministry of the Joseph Project. I wish every member of the church were able to take at least one day out of the year to share in this experience. For the sake of volunteer support, yes, but also for the understanding that is gleaned from this kind of community engagement.
Some of you know that my personal connection with the mission of Dumas Wesley has been strengthened by the weaving of multiple threads in recent years. When I was a District Superintendent from 2016-2019, I was placed on the Administrative Board of DWCC as an Ex-Officio member. I admit that I was not able to attend very many meetings at the time, but it did give me a fresh look at this historic facility. It was then that I first met Mrs. Kate Carver, Executive Director.
A few years later, while serving at Fairhope UMC, I called Kate one Monday morning to discuss the need for transitional housing support in Baldwin County, where no such services were available at the time. I did not know much, but I knew about the Sybil Smith Family Village in Mobile. Out of that initial conversation, with great faith and a collaborative partnership of many servant leaders, the vision for the Baldwin Family Village was born.
When Jesus promised his disciples in John 14:12 that they would get to participate “in even greater works than these,” I believe this is what he had in mind for me. It was (and continues to be!) one of the most inspiring developments I have ever seen.
Much has transpired through generous love and genuine transformation. Since opening its doors in 2023, the Baldwin Family Village has served over 115 women and children in Baldwin County as an extension of the ministry of the Dumas Wesley Community Center. On August 20, the Baldwin Family Village Foundation hosted their third annual donor appreciation dinner. The testimonies of the recent graduates were incredibly powerful.
But as you might imagine, the stories and numbers of those served continue to grow here in Mobile. Take the Joseph Project, for instance, which APUMC has sponsored from its inception. Today, food was distributed to 75+ persons. Historically, I was told by our volunteers that the typical distribution for the first week of the month was around 40-50. Today, there were at least 13 new clients, most of whom were under 50 years of age. The need for aid is growing in our local community. This is our reality.
I am paying attention to this trend for several reasons; all of which have to do with the call of Jesus to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
I, the Lord of wind and flame,
I will tend the poor and lame,
I will set a feast for them,
My hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide
till their hearts be satisfied
I will give my life for them.
Whom shall I send?
Earlier this year I was asked to serve as the President of the Board for the Dumas Wesley Community Center. I am thankful to share this responsibility with such a talented gathering of servant leaders from across our city. As Senior Pastor of APUMC, I am blessed by the ties that bind our work as disciples who seek the transformation of this particular corner of the world.
Earlier this week, I shared this reflection with the rest of the Dumas Wesley Board members from one of my teachers, Luther E. Smith, in his work on intentional community:
Prophetic neighboring occurs from a caring relationship...Neighboring only in crisis suggests that one is solely responsive to another's inabilities. Being a constant neighbor provides more opportunities to experience and appreciate the whole person. A person who is tarried with the heart of another during normal times is more likely to know how to care during a crisis.
For me, participating in the regular rhythm of the Dumas Wesley Community Center has become a means of responsible grace. It is a chance for us to be "constant neighbors." With the help of these neighbors, it is we who are learning to care, both in word and deed. In doing so, we are becoming more of what we are called to be. It might even become normal! Or so I believe. Such is my hope for us all.
The list of services provided cover neighbors of all ages and stages. More information is found at www.dumaswesley.org. Or, even better, let me know if you would like a personal tour of the facility.
I hope to see you this Sunday. In Word and Table, we anticipate the means to be formed and fed.
Shape us, Lord!
Darren