Luke wrote about the early church as a fellowship of “believers who were together and had everything in common, who gave to anyone as he had need.” They ate together, prayed together, praised God together “with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:42–47).

In his letters to the early churches, the Apostle Paul wrote of the church as a family. “You are members of God’s very own family…and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian” (Ephesians 2:19). In Galatians 6:10 Paul said, “Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.” A few verses earlier he wrote, “Help carry each other’s burdens. In this way you will follow Christ’s teachings.”

The Membership Care Team at NSUMC, under the leadership of Priscilla Hartman, puts these words into action every day. The team not only coordinates the weekly Fellowship Hour after worship but also plans regular “potluck” events so the “family” can get together for fun and fellowship.

Much more is available to our church family: a ride to church, to your doctor appointment, your job, to physical therapy, to the supermarket, to visit a friend in the hospital; regular phone calls and/or visits to some folks who are temporarily housebound, and to others who live alone all the time and who can’t get out of their homes very easily or at all. Our church family also delivers meals when someone is ill or hospitalized, or at other times when providing a meal is just the right thing to do. We also provide pet care when you are away, and we help with vacuuming, dusting, laundry, reorganizing the pantry, or with other household chores.

You know the kinds of things you do for members of your own family. The same goes for our church family. By the way, the NSUMC family includes some who aren’t church members, but are associated with us in other ways, such as through the Thrift Shop, Bible Study, Crafty Ladies, etc. Ours is an extended family.

The Membership Care Team is open to all. If you know that you can sometimes do some or all of the caring tasks mentioned above, or others tasks that you can think of, tell Priscilla that you would like to be part of the team.

Two special events are coming soon. On Sunday, June 22, Sunday School and Confirmation teachers will be honored, as well as high school and college graduates. The annual summer barbecue potluck lunch will be on Sunday, July 13.