Once again, we are gearing up for the annual St. Grubby’s Day spring cleaning event. This year, we are going to try something a little different and clean on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday the 27th, 9am - 2pm. This way, we hope to give more people a chance to participate in cleaning, as well as attend the services, Adult Forum and other events on Sunday.

There will be snacks and coffee provided along with lunch, and childcare will be available both days. Look for the sign-up sheet and info in the Narthex, and remember to dress for the occasion – it is called St. Grubby’s Day for a reason!

Participants from the recent Katrina Mission Trip will give a presentation during Adult Forum. Click here to see a slide show of the mission trip.

Blessings abound for each of the Katrina mission participants, who went to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, February 23 to March 1, 2008.

What a blessing it was to be called by God to join 15 other people from Gethsemane to hurricane-ravaged Mississippi! Thank God also for the leadership of Fred and Sue Hedberg. Our presence and work there provided witness to God’s love and care for people who are struggling to recover from Katrina. From the beginning, it was the volunteers who brought hope.

What a fellowship we had: 15 people living, working, laughing, eating, sleeping, worshiping and centering on being God’s servants in that place. We made close connections to one another that follow us back to Gethsemane.

What a wonderful God we have that provided each of us with jobs we could do. It varied from day to day and hour to hour. Some worked from tall scaffolding, and others brought supplies to them. Some used electrical tools and others wielded a paint brush or a hammer. One day shoveling dirt was a priority. We had guidance to learn new things as well as a chance to use skills already known.

What memories: meeting talented, Christian dedicated young adults, who were working as long-term crew leaders at little or no pay; hearing the young mom say “it is beginning to hit me” when the kitchen cupboards were delivered to the blitz built house; seeing the grandmother gasp and tear when she saw the flooring and the ceiling fan we’d installed. Another soon-to-be Habitat owner said she was amazed by the number of people from churches across the United States that keep coming to help. She is so grateful.

What a worshipful experience we had in a predominately black church with Gospel singing at a service that included teenagers giving historical portraits of their ancestors who could serve as role models. After worship as we toured New Orleans on Sunday afternoon, we saw the contrast between the still devastated Ninth Ward and the revived French Quarter. God’s work isn’t done.

Come to the Adult Forum on Sunday, April 27. Hear more experiences. See pictures. Ask questions. See you then.