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by Marilyn K. Moulton, Lt. Colonel –
A year ago I wrote an article for New Frontier which gave me opportunity to talk about feeling safe in my comfort zone and how it wasn’t easy to make changes in one’s life.
This past year I have been taken out of my comfort zone and several changes have taken place.
In July, my title changed from Territorial League of Mercy Secretary to Territorial Community Care Ministries Secretary. This change in name, I feel, depicts more accurately the meaning of what our ministries are all about.
Community Care Ministries gives opportunity to help in our neighborhoods those who are not able to do much for themselves because of failing health, advanced age, small children, etc. This is a good opportunity as a Community Care Ministries (CCM) member to bring the message of Christ to the people.
Not only did I have a title change but also I changed my location from Women’s Ministries to Program Services. This is giving me opportunities to work as part of the team in the Program Section.
In the past few months I had the privilege of designing a new logo for the Community Care Ministries for the territory. The symbolism in the logo reflects the kind of service Community Care Ministries brings.
The cross symbolizes our desire to lead people to Christ as well as the source of our love. The hands holding a basin and towel: the hands speak of service and compassion; the basin and towel represent symbols of servanthood and service. The color of the hands represents the multicultural society in which we live.
In John 13 we are reminded that we are to be known by our capacity to love. The source of this love is God’s love. As we embrace this source of unconditional love, we become more effective in all of our ongoing relationships.
“If then your Lord and Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.
“If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.
“By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13: 14-17, 34, 35
My goals for the Community Care Ministries are related to the priorities in the US Western Territory:
Make the field a priority: Encourage divisional community care ministries secretaries, officers, local officers and community care members to increase membership in CCM teams so that more people in the community are visited.
Promote holistic ministry: Encourage CCM members to become more involved in ministry in their communities as well as institutions and Silvercrest. I would like to see more of us return to our earlier days to do more home visits and give help where it is needed.
Make ministry to youth a priority: Reach out and encourage the youth to become involved in CCM. This is a wonderful opportunity for our youth to be involved in a very meaningful ministry.
You might say but we are doing all these things. Yes, you probably are involved in some way or another. However, our numbers have declined over the past years. This means we don’t have as many members to go out to give a hand, and tell others of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I believe with God’s help we can fulfill these goals and promote a more Holistic ministry in this territory through the Community Care Ministries.
Well, I certainly can say I have been taken out of my comfort zone. Opportunities have come this past year that have helped me to grow and venture into unfamiliar areas. This was only done in his strength.
May God richly bless you as you make these goals a matter of prayer and apply them in your area of ministry. Let us be compassionately active in serving humanity.
