July 20, 2022
A Note from Pastor Jon
Dear Friends,
A short while after Jesus first appears to the disciples following his resurrection, the disciples had left Jerusalem and had seemingly returned to their prior jobs, as we discover in the Gospel according to John. Seven of the disciples, including Peter, had returned north to The Galilee and had resumed fishing.
John’s Gospel (chapter 21) says that early one morning Jesus was standing on the shore while the seven were in their boat, but they had caught no fish.
From the shore Jesus calls out for them to put their nets on the other side of the boat. They follow the instructions, and we are told the nets were so full they couldn’t pull them in.
They quickly realized it was Jesus on the shore.
Once they made their way back, Jesus prepared for them a breakfast of fish right on the beach.
Sometime during that meal Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”
Peter responds as we might expect, “Of course I love you.”
Then Jesus says to Peter, “Feed my sheep!”
In fact, Jesus asks Peter this same question three times, and the response is the same, “Feed my sheep.”
I am so very proud of the fact that we at Hilliard UMC take this question from Jesus quite seriously. In fact, we love Jesus so much that we continue to find ways to feed his sheep, all of his sheep who have need in our community.
Wednesday Community Supper
Most Wednesday nights from September to May, all are invited to a free hot meal provided by our amazing kitchen crew, led by Beth Latella.
Over these last two years of pandemic they adjusted and made all meals carry-out, to continue to ensure that anyone who desires a meal could receive one.
These meals are provided at around a cost of $2.25 each, for a weekly total of around $200, or nearly $6,600 each ministry season.
The crew hopes to resume in person fellowship dining in the Social Hall this fall, beginning September 7, and your help is needed on the cooking, setup, serving, and cleanup teams! Sign up HERE. Carry-out meals will still be available as well (but not drive-through).
Children’s & Youth Ministry Meals
Wednesday Community Supper also provides an opportunity for families to eat together prior to our Faith Kids and Faith Finders gatherings for kids during the school year, led by Lindsay Robinson and Nikki Buskirk, our Children’s Ministry staff. This is an important way for kids and parents alike to connect and build friendships.
Sunday nights our teens in grades 7-12 gather for a meal as a part of their regular weekly youth group meetings during the school year, led by Youth Director April Andrick.
Hilliard Farm Market Donations
During the Hilliard Farm Market season, our market receives donations from vendors and shoppers that are provided to the Hilliard Food Pantry to help those in need in our community (and the Hilliard Food Pantry, by the way, was started by members of Hilliard UMC years ago!).
Thanksgiving Outreach
We look forward to our annual Thanksgiving Outreach, partnering with the Hilliard Food Pantry, Hilliard City Schools, and Scioto Ridge UMC to provide nearly 350 full Thanksgiving meals and extra groceries for families. Join me as I coordinate with Roy Walker from Hilliard Schools and a whole host of volunteers.
Feeding Hilliard Students
In partnership with Hilliard Kiwanis, we pack and provide 520 (YES OVER 500 STUDENTS) weekend and holiday food packs to students throughout the Hilliard City School District, through our Feeding Hilliard Students ministry, led by our Community Connections and Office Manager, Lori Lee. These packs cost approximately $1 each to help ensure that children have access to food when not in school, which adds up to nearly $20,800 each school year.
We are thankful for our partnership with our Kiwanis friends, and we are always thankful for anyone who wishes to pack bags on Wednesday nights or offer financial contributions.
During the summer this ministry continues to provide food packs for about 250 at-risk students in partnership with Hilliard Kiwanis and Festa (formerly SON ministries).
You Matter
At HUMC we say each week that YOU MATTER!
Friends, YOU MATTER to us and to God, and every single one of our neighbors who faces food insecurity matters to God as well.
Your Contributions Matter
We are always thankful for every person who is able to serve in buying groceries, prepping food, serving food, packing food bags, sorting and distributing groceries, and offering financial gifts toward any of these ministries.
If you are willing and able to give or serve please let us know. You can reach me via email, josmundson@hilliardumc.org, and I will get you in touch with the right people, or you can sign up here:
As food prices have climbed over these last few months, it is even more vital than ever that we continue to show our love for Jesus by answering his call to feed his sheep.
Grace & peace,
Jon
The Rev. Jon Osmundson
Associate Pastor
614.876.2403 (church office)