From   II Corinthians 9:6-11
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  As it is written:
            ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor;
            his righteousness endures forever.’[Ps.112:9]
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and

through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” 

Early in October, the churches here celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving, during which the above Bible passage appeared in our bulletin and the sanctuary was filled with bouquets of flowers.  The theme was harvest and gratefulness.  We are very grateful for our new life in Belfast.  We are grateful we can be living abroad, as God’s harvest gift to others.

I want to tell you about David Surgenor.  We got to know David when he volunteered to help with our Summer Outreach (see September newsletter).  David gave us a week of volunteer time.  He especially helped me, as my group was all boys, and he interrupted his work to accompany them to the toilet many times.  David has worked at the Vine Center for three years funded to do reconciliation work with the community youth, but that money has dried up as agencies are saying the Troubles are over.  So now free from “chasing the funding” his heart wants to do pastoral support work for all ages.  Like us he is a mature person with grown children, a mortgage half paid up, and with lots of spiritual life experiences to share.  He was a Belfast City Mission (BCM) missionary pastor for 15 years.  Based in the Vine Center he can help people who would not go into a church and he can support all the churches in the Greater Shankill referring people where they might fit in.  When David told us he was “faith based” and with trepidation was starting his fundraising, I immediately said, we are willing to give you £20 ($40) a month and some of our supporters may help.  He is praying for 45 people willing to give £25. Many of you will recognize the strategic value of supporting a “native” worker.  So here’s the deal, if any of you are willing to commit to $5 or 10 a month more, we together can be one of the 45 people that David needs.  If you or your church would like to fund a native Irish pastoral support worker you can commit to $600 annually and we will pass it on to the Vine Center for David’s support.  Please note this in your reply.

Each week brings new opportunities to do good.

Email: wardstothers@cten.org
New Phone: (028) 90 291986  From US 01144.2890.291986.
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