This summer I had the privilege of delivering meals to families that needed assistance with meals. The first day that I went knocking on doors, a little girl answered and told me “Thank you for bringing me lunch.” She was 5-6 years old and thrilled that I was there. HFUMC helped me to get out and see the needs of our community right here in the city limits. This occurred at a complex here in Hendersonville that I personally never knew existed (I have lived here 29 years). As mission chair, this was something we had never done before and had no idea what we were doing but we were called to do something! I have known there was a need here but did not know how to help those right here in Hendersonville. We will continue to serve those throughout Sumner County as well but focus on our community and neighbors right here in Hendersonville. I am thankful for our church’s response to the needs by the numerous volunteers who responded to our calls for help, like I said earlier we had no blueprint how to do any of this, the money, and resources HFUMC provides.
Every year a word comes to me, and I try to make that my resolution. 2021’s word was abide, to abide in Christ. As many of you know, I am a gardener and so John 15 speaks to me always. So, for 2021, John 15:4 has been the scripture that I have focused on. “Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” It is not an easy road, but it is what is asked of us. We must be willing to abide in God’s will even when it is uncomfortable and never been done before. I may not immediately see the fruit, just as in gardening, but if you examine the vine closely, you see tiny fruits forming that will grow into beautiful fruit.
That little girl may never grace the doors of HFUMC, but she knew from your faithfulness that someone cared enough about her to provide lunch for her. Thank you for your continued support of the missions of HFUMC.
Love,
Barbara Fleming
