Page 5 - Our Hands Fall/Winter 2021

FAITH IN ACTION

Faith & Perseverance

n 2007, I presided over the closing of a church. It was one of the more painful
things I’ve ever had to do, and it was complicated by the fact that this was a little
Imission church that had a lot of hopes and dreams behind it.

I have thought about that little church lately, because Samaritas has received several
donations from churches that have closed in the past year. I know that there are
complicated emotions there, and I wanted to acknowledge them as well as say thank
you from the bottom of my heart.

I was privileged to attend the closing worship service for Cross of Glory in Detroit,
from whom Samaritas received a tithe on the sale of their building. One of their
“church children,” Pastor Brandon Hunt, preached a beautiful sermon about Many thanks to the Assistant to the Bishop for the
beginnings and endings. Several other representatives from ministries who are Southeast Michigan Synod of the ELCA, Reverend Sean
doing good for people in Detroit and beyond were there to receive the blessing and Ewbank, (Above) for his work in empowering churches
donations from this closing of a ministry. We also received a wonderful and helpful who are closing to use their funds to leave a legacy.
donation from Calvary Lutheran in Lansing on their closing this summer.
We greatly appreciate the work of the Lutheran synods
as well as our many other partners in this good work.
Additionally, I had a good friend pass away from COVID in December of 2020. Magnify Church (Below) is a proud supporter of
On her passing, her family designated Samaritas as one of the organizations to Samaritas. Since 2017, they’ve generously contributed
receive donations in lieu of flowers. In the midst of great grief, I was happy to receive over $92,000 to Samaritas programs and services.
those donations as I know Pastor Jill Heather would be so glad to see that even after
she passed, her name was used to help others.

These past two years have been filled with grief. We can deny it, or we can
acknowledge that death is a part of life as much as birth and life. We know that
we have a Redeemer who lives, and as the old hymn says, “what comfort this sweet
sentence gives.” In the midst of death there is life, and something beautiful that is
being born out of endings.

Thank you to all of you who have thought of Samaritas in these endings, so that
others can begin their new lives with support in all the ways that we serve.

Peace and blessings,
Reverend Beth Birkholz, M.Div.

Please let me know if your congregation would like to receive my monthly updates.
We also have many opportunities for engagement and outreach.
I'm here to help connect Samaritas with Good Samaritans!
Reverend Beth Birkholz, Congregational Engagement Director,
Beth.Birkholz@samaritas.org

GROUPS OF FAITH SUPPORTING AFGHAN REFUGEES

Recently, the Afghan refugee crisis has brought together
people of all faiths and denominations like never before to
support the mission of Samaritas!

Kensington Church, Christ Church Cranbrook Episcopal
church as well as several other new Episcopal partners,
the Detroit Presbytery, and several non-denominational
congregations are supporting families who are arriving in
Michigan. We are so grateful for this belief in the “Common
Cause” of serving people as an expression of the love of Christ!

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