Change The World
36 …I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 36-40
This May our church will be observing the eleventh year of Change the World. What began in 2014 as a single day in May of sharing God’s love, has grown into a month-long list of activities. The original plan was to get church-goers out of their pews, and into the community. Our church has a rich history of reaching out through many ministries over 150 years.
When Jeremy Wernick was eight years old, he did something few eight-year-olds would consider: he shaved his head as winter was approaching. The Colonie youth did it with noble intentions. He wanted to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research. In the process, he discovered how cold it was without any hair! His project of providing hats for young cancer patients was born. Jeremy could not have predicted that twelve years later, over 51,000 hats have been donated by generous and caring folks. The hats have reached young patients in California, Nebraska, New Jersey, Louisiana, Michigan and New York among other states in the country. Our own Made by Hand With Love group alone donated 300 hats last year.
When we share God’s Love with others, we have no idea where that love will end up or what effects it will have on others. Like the ripples sent out across the water when we cast a stone.
Over the past 10 years, how have we attempted to make the world a better place? When we began in 2014, the Goff Middle School next door had a vegetable garden. Volunteers, adults and children alike, prepared the soil and planted crops. They helped weed the garden and harvest the crops later that year. Vegetables were donated to local food pantries. We have kept our seniors in mind by visiting them in their homes or in nursing homes, often bringing them potted plants to help brighten their world.
We have conducted food drives to help fill the shelves at local food pantries, and built picnic tables for an area shelter. We have raked yards, made cards for Veterans and reminded our brave Veterans in person that they are not forgotten.
More recently we have donated personal hygiene supplies to the Homeless residents in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky through the Red Bird Shoebox Project. Other recent endeavors include participating in a Moonbee, where washable and reusable feminine hygiene products are made for girls in impoverished countries in the world so that their education is not interrupted. Our Food Truck Festival has also been a welcome addition.
Last year we joined the folks at Van Rensselaer Heights for a get-together of fellowship and music, which was provided by our talented choir. A luncheon on Change the World Sunday has always been a hit.
This year, we have many opportunities to “cast stones across the water”. We encourage you to take a look at the list and listen closely as God leads you. Please contact the church office with any questions at 518.477.9693.
Change the World Activities for May 2024
| Day/Date | Time | Activity | Location | Coordinator (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday May 5 | 9 AM-Noon | Food Drive | Church Parking Lot | L. Beals, A. Schweigert |
| Thurs. or Friday May 16 or 17 | 3:00 PM | Potting Plants & Delivery | Larsons | C. Larson |
| Saturday May 18 | 11:30 AM- 3 PM | Food Truck Festival | Church Parking Lot | A. Telford |
| Sunday May 19 | 10:30-11:45 | 10:30-11:45 Card-Making & Sewing Projects | Fellowship Hall | A. Schweigert |
| Sunday May 19 | 10:45 AM- 11:45 PM | Reception | Van Rensselaer Heights | C. Larson, J. Schmidt |
| Sunday May 19 | Noon – 1:00 | Luncheon | Fellowship Hall | A. Telford L. Beals K. Van Buren |
| All Month | Red Bird Shoeboxes | Church | J. Schmidt | |
| All Month | Share the Love Calendar | Church | J. Schmidt |
Please join us for some or all of our activities this year. Thank you for Sharing God’s Love!
John Schmidt
Change the World Event Coordinator
