Dear St. Lukers,
Let me tell you where I saw young adults living out their God-given purpose so boldly. This past Saturday was Earth Day, and what a wonderful time and experience for the Grow It Forward team, led by three young women! Saniye Kazan (Missions Council member, Missions Intern, Praise and Youth Leader), Bianca Ephraim (our Grow It Forward Micro Farms Manager), and Yadusha Olety (Missions Intern turned passionate volunteer leader at the St. Luke’s Micro Farm) planned, organized volunteers and logistics, and beautifully executed St. Luke’s first Earth Day participation at Lake Eola. According to Saniye’s report…
- Over $500 in sales (the most we’ve ever done in a single day)
- Over 200 new followers on the Grow it Forward Instagram page (basically doubled our following)
- Over 70 new likes on the Grow it Forward Facebook page
- 125 new email sign ups
- Countless laughs and smiles
It was an inspiring thing watching them be creative, delegating, covering for each other, and engaging the community with such passion and commitment. What’s more incredible is how they live their lives every day with intention and commitment to creation care. They understand the direct link between adverse environmental impacts on food insecurity and poverty, both in our nation and globally. Please join me in thanking Saniye, Bianca, and Yadusha for being our teachers, role models, and leaders as we are growing forward. Thank you also to all who volunteered and donated to make the event a success!
We look forward to investing in the next generation of leaders from under-resourced communities. This is possible because your Lenten Offerings were above and beyond our goal of $15,000 at more than $23,600. Thank you! Now we can contribute to a couple of war-torn countries through UMCOR, and support St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Church in Apopka so they can care for Ukrainians.
Please join us in worship on Sunday either online or on campus as we continue our study of the book of Matthew, because it’s not St. Luke’s without U.
Hope and grace,
Mariam Mengistie
P.S.
On Saturday, April 30, St. Luke’s is hosting a #BeUMC event called “Celebrating What it Means to Be a United Methodist in the Florida Conference.” You’re invited to join either in person or online via Zoom. Click here for more details and to register.