Mission Moment 10.23.24

Kim and Marc Wyatt
CBF Field Personnel, Raleigh, N.C.

Refugee guests of Welcome House Raleigh arrive weary and off balance. With only the possessions they carry in their arms, they are homeless. Life as they knew it back home is gone forever. They are lost. It takes time for folks to regain their bearings and feel at home. Of course, they aren’t home yet. They are in a holding pattern, a pause. We welcome them to beloved community and help them get situated in their new bedrooms. 

The pause can take weeks, even months. Not knowing the future is frustrating and stressful. Every day our guests await news from their agency caseworkers that a permanent home has finally been found. It is an unspoken prayer. Having a home, they hope, will erase some of the loss and replace the emptiness with a promise of a new life. 

Refugees slowly but surely let down their guard. Peace and welcome are strong and compelling influences. Most welcome friendship. It is a sacred space. The ”pause” is a place where humanity is reclaimed. It is where we practice Christ’s presence. The transformation from strangers to friends is shared by all, both guests and hosts. We never grow tired of it. It is lifegiving. 

And then comes the day! They get the news. An apartment has been secured. Our team works closely with volunteers and the refugee agency to furnish the apartment ahead of moving day. They gather their belongings, often much more than they arrived with, and we take them to their new home. A “welcome home” door mat greets them. Their key opens the door. Inside, everything is in its place and every room is ready. After such a long and hard journey, they are finally home again. Their prayers are being answered. No matter how long it takes or how involved the work, we never grow tired of the ministry of welcome and hospitality toward strangers. 

The quote at the beginning of this reflection was written by the elder of a refugee family who were our guests during their “pause” at Welcome House. It now hangs on the wall near the front door. 

Pray, Practice, Ponder
Pray for those who are now experiencing a time of “pause” at Welcome House Raleigh. Pray they might experience this sacred space as healing and restorative, a place where new dreams and new life can begin. Pray for strength, joy and wisdom for those who serve and lead at Welcome House.

Pray...Give...Go.

Dining for Jackson

Dining for Jackson Is Working to Aid the Center for Domestic Peace
Tuesday, November 5 at 11:30 a.m.

Last month, Dining for Jackson was scheduled to help the Center for Domestic Peace but they were inundated with calls for help from Haywood and Buncombe Counties due to the flood. Therefore, we will meet on Tuesday, November 5, and work to aid this important non-profit as they work to help not only Jackson County but Haywood and Buncombe as well. Please make every effort to come as the flood victims need our help so badly. We will meet at 11:30 in the Mission and Fellowship Center of Sylva First Baptist Church. 

The services provided by the Center for Domestic Peace include 24/7 confidential access to safety planning, information and support, assistance finding a safe place to stay and access to basic needs – especially since the flooding, free and timely access to licensed therapists, and ongoing help to rebuild their lives after abuse. Their clients have access to support groups, counseling, and a drop-in resource center for supplies and other assistance. Now that western North Carolina has been hit so hard with flooding, there are an even greater number needing our help so please come.

Ending domestic violence in Jackson County is going to take more than just the efforts of this one organization. To be successful in protecting our community, everyone needs to show their support of survivors. You can do this by joining us on November 5 for Dining for Jackson. Let’s advocate for those experiencing domestic violence and help them to take control of the situation they find themselves in and provide encouragement and motivation to persevere through everything they have to face to get to a life free from violence and manipulation. 

1st Explorers After-School Ministry Update

Assistant Director Kayla Hartman reports that 1st Explorers had a great “Indigenous Peoples Week” last week.  On Monday they learned what the Cherokee Syllabary is and they watched some videos of Native American Pow Wows.  Tuesday found the children enjoying fry bread and chili made by Kayla’s father.  On Thursday, Curtis Collins visited and shared what life looked like for the indigenous people before the European settlers arrived.  He told about a tribe in New Mexico, the Cherokees, and Machu Picchu in South America.  On Friday, Marina Hunley-Graham brought in some Cherokee art work for the children to see and Kayla read the fable of “How the Possum Got His Tail.” The busy afternoon ended with some videos of stickball games.  

Cheryl Beck led chapel on Tuesday in the Sanctuary and shared the book “When I Pray”, encouraging the children to talk to God throughout the day, in all kinds of circumstances.

It was a great week!

A Way You Can Help

The relief needs are changing daily. The immediate needs at this time are: generators, heaters, basement dehumidifiers, Visa cards, cash, and prayers. We do not need anymore clothing or cleaning supplies donated for the time being.

That said, there are so many great ways to help our WNC neighbors in need. May I offer what I heard folks saying they needed to better serve hard hit areas like Mitchell and Yancey Counties? HEAT!!! 

They have ample supplies of most other things but REALLY need these on Amazon (but certainly other places, too): heaters, generators and dehumidifiers for basements: Please consider this as a possible way to honor a family member or loved one for early birthday or Christmas present. 

You can ask that it be shipped to: Helene Recovery Coalition, 2002 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28804. This is the staging warehouse serving WNC counties.  Thank you!

Hurray for Our Nursery Workers of the Week!

Braddock and Strider are ready for business with their creative coffeemaker (left) and lemonade stand with drive-through window (right).

We appreciate Sarah Davis for substituting in the nursery on Sunday.  She was a lifesaver! 
Cheryl Beck also worked in the nursery after Children’s Time in the worship service.

On October 20, Melanie and Izzy Joiner will serve in the nursery.  We appreciate this
mother-daughter duo for taking time from their busy schedules to help out.  Many thanks!

Butterscotch Pie

Ingredients
Crust
1 stick margarine, melted
1 cup all -purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Combine flour, nuts, and sugar with melted margarine and press into a 9”x13” baking dish.  Bake 12-15 minutes.  Cool crust.

Filling
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
2 cups Cool Whip
2 packages butterscotch instant pudding
3 1/2 cups milk

Instructions
Mix powdered sugar, cream cheese, 1 cup Cool Whip.  Spread on crust.  Mix pudding and milk according to package.  Spread on cheese mixture.  Spread remaining cup of Cool Whip on top.  Sprinkle with chopped nuts.  Chill before serving.

– Provided by Judy Wilkey

Butterscotch Pie

Click here to download a printable version.

-Provided by Judy Wilkey

First Baptist Church of Sylva, 669 West Main Street, Sylva, NC, 28779, United States828-586-2095fbcsylva@gmail.com

First Baptist Church of Sylva

669 West Main Street | Sylva, NC 28779
828-586-2095

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