From Synod of the Sun, PC(USA) ... Good News Stories: "Hygiene Kits Delivered!"

Amidst the changes and chances of the COVID-19 pandemic, churches and entities throughout the The Synod of the Sun found ways to not only survive but also find unique and beautiful ways to minister to God's people in need. Mission and ministry takes form in supplying basic necessities to caring for the environment. Connections have been made via video feed and blankets. Love is supplied via learning how to read to drive-in diapers.

You can read all of our Good News Stories on our website at synodsun.org/good-news-stories.

How has your community found ways to continue to minister when "the church has left the building"? Send us your Good News Stories ideas! Contact Thomas Riggs, Communication and Administrative Coordinator or the Matt Curry, author and story collector.

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Editor's Note: As Sharon makes her way back (traveling mercies!), we give
thanks to God for Hope Through Connections, Unhindered by Walls. Here's
her note on delivering hygiene kits. And next time, let's find Sharon a truck!

Hygiene Kits Delivered!

Sharon Curry
Moderator, Connecting Committee

Good morning, Friends!

On behalf of the Synod of the Sun, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who participated in our hygiene kit drive. And drive it was! We estimated we collected more than 1,000 kits! You are truly amazing and a great gift, not only to God, but to those who will receive them.

I picked up kits at Central Presbyterian Church in Waxahachie and at St. Stephen Presbyterian Church in Ft. Worth. We said, “You can’t fit many more in there (my car).” I picked up kits at Woodhaven Presbyterian Church in Irving where Nor’Kirk Presbyterian and others had dropped off kits. We filled the back, and said, “You can’t fit more in there.” The next stop on the journey was to First Presbyterian Church in Shreveport and we said “OH NO! They aren’t going to fit!” We stuffed and we stuffed and we packed down and stuffed some more. We belted bags in the front seat to keep them from falling on me and stuffed some more. We forced the trunk down and the side doors closed and then added 75 more as Pastor George from Alpine Presbyterian Church in Longivew arrived just as I was leaving.

I make plans and God laughs and says, “I will show you where they need to go.” And I trust God's wisdom and guidance. The original plan was to take them to Lake Charles. As many of you know, Hurricane Beta decided to make landfall early this week. An early morning text message from Bok Soon Egbert, our incoming Synod Moderator from DeRidder, LA, told a tale of heavy thunderstorms and the FEMA office being closed due to the weather.

That made the decision, for my little, low to the ground Hyundai wasn’t going to make it all the way to Lake Charles. So I headed to Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center where all of your generous donations (minus the ones we just couldn’t make fit in Shreveport) were dropped off at the Disaster Assistance Center.

I would try to thank you all individually if I knew who you were, but in true Presbyterian spirit, many hands just reached out to help those in need and we never know who you are. If I tried to name all the churches that contacted me about participating, I would miss some. So, if you helped in any way, even offering prayers and/or contributions to the processing fees, THANK YOU!! You are what makes Synod of the Sun so great!

May God richly bless you as you have blessed others.

Sharon Curry

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The Rev. Matt Curry is in search of Good News from ministries throughout the Synod of the Sun that are making connections with their congregations and communities. Do you have an idea to share? Send Matt an email at cpcwaxpastor@gmail.com.