Streams of Mercy

It’s important to make time to read about what the larger church is doing and how individual congregations are addressing issues of the day. Today I read about the work of Creation Justice Ministries.

With climate change and other factors contributing to scorching conditions in various parts of the world, that ministry hosted a webinar to help churches spring into actions, from becoming cooling centers to advocating for environmentally friendly legislation.

One example came from the Rev. Sylvia Harris of Wesley United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Arizona – and yes, we can learn much from the ministries of other denominations! The church converted a dormant preschool into a cooling and respite center in the city’s south mountain area, where many people struggle with the effects of systemic oppression, homelessness and poverty. With the help of seed grants, community partnerships and some donated labor and goods, the center has given people — and their pets — a cool, comfortable place to stay while also providing food, showers, a laundry facility, and referrals for other services, such as housing.

“What we have found is the more that we reach out and make known what we’re doing, the more God shows up to provide in the spaces and places that we would not have been able to do this otherwise,” Harris said. “We served over 700 people over the course of four months last summer through this work” and received heartfelt testimony, such as, “I really thought I was going to die this summer and then found you guys, and now, I was able to live one more summer.”

People also have talked about the love, acceptance and peace they’ve experienced at the center. That’s because “they were seen as people,” Harris said. “They weren’t seen as a problem, and they were welcomed fully, as they were.”

It’s inspiring to read of the creative ministries addressing the concerns of the day – and challenging as we consider addressing the needs in our own neighborhood. God is always doing new things among us, for those with eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to understand!

Elizabeth