'Tis the Season for IMPACT

Well, it’s getting to be that time of (the IMPACT) year again - we’re starting to ramp up for the Nehemiah Action in March, and there are a number of meetings lined up.

First, there’s a team assembly on Monday, February 9^th at 7pm at Wesley Memorial United Methodist. The team assembly is an opportunity for people who are relatively new to IMPACT organizing to hear about various ways to get the word out to more folks at our congregations. For those interested in hearing more about the methodology of IMPACT, please consider attending the meeting at Wesley Memorial United Methodist at 1901 Thomson Road (across from Memorial Gym at UVA).

Next, the IMPACT Rally is going to be held on Sunday, February 15^th at 6:30pm at Church of the Incarnation. Members from the 30 member congregations will gather to hear reports from the research committees on affordable housing and education. We’ll then reach out to fellow parishioners, friends, relatives, and anyone who might be interested in seeing long-term change effected in our community. It’s a great event – smaller than the Nehemiah Action, but very energetic. There’s music and testimony, and it really gets you fired up to reach out to as many people as possible for the Nehemiah Action.

Finally, the Nehemiah Action is on Sunday, March 30^th at 6:15pm at U-Hall. About 2000 people attended last year, and we’re expecting to surpass that number this year. That 2000 included over 125 people from St. Paul’s, and with your help, we’ll share the experience with an even greater number of friends and family this year.

2009 is a year of changes – some welcome, some not so, but all transformative. We all know that the correct response to  the challenges we face is not “every person for themselves” but “we’re all in this together.” It’s never been more critical that we gather, as people of faith, to show our commitment to forward progress for social justice in our city, our county, our neighborhood, and our community. I hope and pray that in addition to joining me at the meeting on March 30^th, you will make an effort to reach out to family, friends and neighbors and give them the opportunity to share this experience and support those in our community who are most often forgotten.