Morning Star, Matthews, swings hammers and unwraps bologna

For Morning Star, Matthews, “God’s work. Our hands.” was a weekend-long celebration for us as we reached across the generations and beyond our walls to connect with our community.

On Saturday, early risers cared for God’s creation by cleaning up litter from our adopted street while another group of servants polished our handbells for a new season of ringing. Nearby on Dion Drive, a sweaty work crew hammered alongside folks from other congregations and volunteers were nourished with lunch at the Matthews Habitat Faith Build site. Additionally, Morning Star welcomed the Matthews/Mint Hill Interfaith Community, including representatives from many area AME Zion churches, for a Giving Thanks Luncheon. Encouragement and momentum flourished as we shared the developments in our ongoing ministries to ease the impact of poverty on our community.

Sunday morning, we donned yellow shirts and gathered again between worship services where the air was electric with joyful energy and full hearts. We greeted and served alongside representatives from the Uptown Men’s Shelter and our neighborhood school, Lebanon Road Elementary. Care packages were filled for our neighbors living in homelessness and our teachers in need of tangible gifts of encouragement and grace. Many hands were busy making bologna and cheese sandwiches for the Urban Ministry Center as the air became permeated with the heavenly smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies for KAIROS prison ministry and our first responders. Care cards and placemats were lovingly created, quilts were carefully assembled, and blankets were tied for our local and global neighbors.

“God’s work. Our hands.”…in the seemingly simple actions of swinging hammers and unwrapping bologna, new bonds were formed, unexpected conversations unfolded, and the love of Christ was embodied and shared.

Story shared by Deacon Wendy Roberts.