Testimonies and Thank Yous

I wanted to send a personal note to everyone and thank you for helping with the clean up efforts in Ferguson on Sunday.  If you did not have a chance to talk with the homeowner, you missed a great story that helped me understand exactly why we were doing this.  As if the devastation was not enough, the fact that there was a someone there that I could bond with, and who expressed her appreciation really brought it home for me.

She and her husband are elderly, and do not have the ability or the means to begin to remove the trees and debris from their yard.  She was injured by a log flying through the window as she was heading for cover, and had to be taken to the hospital.  To come back home to what was left had to be very sad, but you could see the strength in her spirit, and the faith in God and neighbors as they maintained their health, and had people swarming their yard to help.

I felt called to help when Go Day was so close to this disaster, and I was very blessed to have a team of people willing to give the effort all of you did.  As we were leaving, one of the people in charge of the site told me that the people in green shirts came to work, and worked tirelessly.  You should be very happy with what you accomplished.

Sincerely,

Jim Shelton

Thanks for the 'thanks', Jim...what a rewarding experience - I'm still thinking about it and talking about it.

I have never done anything like this before, and I want to do more - obviously we saw how ravaged that whole street was - and that was only 1 street in 1 city.

If you or anyone else has an idea on how to help more - please forward on - I will do my best to make time to help.  Also, if there is anything that my kids could be involved with to help, I want them to experience the amazing feeling that (hands on) helping with a disaster (not just a donation) can do for your soul.

Everyone out there was so wonderful!!

:) Missy Steurer

From Gambrill Gardens

From Green Trails Elementary School

From Green Pines Elementary...

Our principal is tickled pink!  We have a faculty meeting after school today, and I’m going to make sure that all the teachers know the nature trail is up and running again!

Thanks again to everyone, and especially to you Rich.  You were a wonderful team leader!

Karen Finfrock

PS  Jane loved the Go Day T-shirt. 

From Epworth...

Dear Friends at Living Word,

Thank you so much for the love shown to our  youth at Epworth expressed through service on “GO” day.   The landscaping in both University City and Webster Groves provides a beautiful environment which helps give a feeling of pride in the youth’s temporary home. Cleaning up and mulching the Knobel backyard now gives the youth a feeling of a real backyard and is inviting.  It was wonderful for some of our youth to have the chance to work along some of you which gave them positive guidance and a skill.

The worship service given by Adam and the Praise Team was an awesome service for our youth.  We appreciate so much that Living Word understands the value in providing spiritual guidance for our youth and gives us those experiences. This truly could be the one factor in making a difference in a youth’s life.

Thank you so much for your partnership in making life better for our kids.

(Can you get this thanks to your congregation, please?)

Margaret G. Mahan
Volunteer Coordinator

From Principal Batenhorst at Wildwood Middle School

All of thanks should go to you, and I apologize I have not gotten around to sending a thank you.  The reputation of your faith community among Wildwood people is outstanding, so thank you for all you do through all your ministries.  Our community is truly blessed to have you as a part of it.

From Rainbow Village

In addition, I would like to invite each to take part in Dining Out for Disabilities at The Corner Pub & Grill this evening. If you eat at the restaurant, which is located in Chesterfield at Clayton and Clarkson, after 5 pm tonight, your money will go to Rainbow Village. That money will in turn help us provide more community homes for people with developmental disabilities.

Dining Out for Disabilities is a precursor to Walk Run ‘n Roll, which takes place this Saturday. If you are interested in participating in or donating to the walk, please click the link for more information.

Thank you and have a wonderful week! 

Jessica Graham, Community Relations Coordinator

Please submit your testimony to Katie Mulchek at kmulchek@livingwordumc.org