A Note From Rob ...
Week of Jan. 25
I want to tell you about some exciting things that are happening in United Methodism in Anson County. In some ways the seeds have been germinating since 2003 when Hands of Hope, a non-profit Community Development Cooperation was founded. It never gained traction for several reasons. Therefore, Hands of Hope lay dormant waiting for the right conditions to send forth its first shoots of new growth.
Dr. Alan Rice, a consultant from the Western NC Conference, our DS and I met with representatives of the Duke Endowment, State and community leaders regarding the child care needs in Anson County. To that end we began an expansion of our child care ministry with these partners.
This past year the conditions became favorable to revive Hands of Hope when United Methodists from the Southern Anson County cluster met with our District Superintendent and Dr. Alan Rice to explore how we might identify and begin to address some pressing needs. At that meeting Hands of Hope began to take life. Representatives from the community were added to give additional perspectives and expertise to make us more effective.
Subsequent meetings have brought us into conversations with agencies whose financial resources and mission match the needs of Anson County which we may address. Among those are: The Albemarle District Mission Society; The Duke Endowment; Z. Smith Reynolds; The Rural Center of NC; Golden Leaf and the Board of Global Missions of the UMC.
A project we are currently hoping to begin this year is one that helps families in generational poverty (2 or more generations) to move from poverty and dependence to self sufficient productive workers. In other communities where this program has been used it has shown benefit to the business community, schools, individual families and the community as a whole. To date, Anson County will be one site while Wilkes and Yadkin counties will be the other. Support from the Board of Global Missions has been received to begin this important work and additional support is pledged.
I believe the hard work of those who have gone before us and the blessings of God to them and us have enabled us to be a position to make a difference in Anson County. I believe the God who calls people like you and me to follow has given us what is necessary to make that difference.
The opportunity is now. The possibilities are now. I believe you and I have come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Now is a time to answer the call to follow. He is sending out a summons for you and me.
RETURN
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