In a way that sums up the whole notion of compassion, Jesus lays before us God’s crucial guidance about how we are to care for those in need in the familiar passage that we call The Parable of the Sheep and Goats:
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
(Matthew 25: 37-40, NIV)
Over a dozen dedicated South Mainers, moved with this very sort of compassion, have been responding to Jesus’ call to visit the sick and infirm through our MainTies ministry for decades. Started in large part by South Mainer Lura Mash then carried on through the devotion of South Mainer Joyce Gardner, this ministry tethers those who are no longer able to attend worship services due to poor health to their church.
Here’s how it works: Volunteers are assigned to those we’ve identified as being congregants who are largely restricted to their homes due to ongoing health challenges. These lay ministers then connect with them on a regular basis with visits, phone calls, encouraging notes, and the delivery of lilies at Easter and poinsettias at Christmas time. What our MainTies ministers do is a core part of the Gospel and a core part of our church.
MainTies ministers—thank you for your compassion and devotion to those in our congregation who are no longer able to come to church each week!
If you’d like to consider becoming a MainTies minister, contact Greg Funderburk.
