This April, Wrightsboro UMC will celebrate 65 years of ministry in northwest New Hanover County. Initially sponsored by the Men’s Club of Grace United Methodist Church, Wrightsboro UMC has been a host of graceful hospitality in this area since its initial planting so many years ago.
One of the most impactful ministries of the church is our weekly food pantry. Through this ministry, we feed close to 300 unique families every month, operating two days a week, with a volunteer crew that is often working every day to ensure our shelves are stocked, and we are prepared to serve the community. We build relationships with the families we serve. We check in with them when they don’t show up, we pray for them when they are sick, and we will even deliver food to them if they are not able to make it to the pantry. We consider them part of our family, and we have seen families who utilize our pantry become active in the life of the church, even serving in the pantry themselves.
Without the vision of a handful of people 65 years ago, and the support of the Men’s Club and the $10 club, who helped us pay off the debt on our initial building in 1967, the work we are doing here might not be happening at all. Today, hundreds of people in our local community have a stocked fridge, a full belly, and knowledge of a community that sees them, knows them, and loves them. As Jesus said, “truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:45)
We want our neighbors to know that we see the Jesus in each of them. That they are all created in the image of God and are deeply loved by their creator. In as many ways as we can be reflections of that love, this is our mission as a church. Our motto is “we love you, period.” Because God loves you. Period.
Loving God, you invite us all to your table and remind us that we are all welcome to share in your abundance. As we walk this Lenten journey, may you guide our steps and illuminate our pathways. May you give us confidence in your ability to provide what is needed when it is needed, and may we look upon ourselves and our neighbors with the knowledge that your image is imprinted upon us all. May we know that love, have confidence in it, and share it with reckless abandon. All to your glory. Amen.
Rev. Angelo Sanchez serves as the pastor of Wrightsboro UMC in Wilmington, NC.
Our theme for this year’s Lenten reflections is Graceful Hospitality. 2023 marks the 70th anniversary of the Ten Dollar Club, now known as the New Room Society. We give thanks for our Conference’s ongoing commitment to co-creating new places for new people to gather in communion with Jesus Christ and extending graceful hospitality to all of God’s children.