Sharing our Gifts

by the Rev. Annette Joseph,
Regional Missioner for St. Paul's, Sikeston and Christ Church, Cape Girardeau

What can we do for our neighbors?

God has been good to us at St. Paul's in Sikeston by blessing us with interest from an investment. St. Paul’s Vestry decided to bless ministries and places in our neighborhood by giving from the abundance God has given us. In the past month, we have made donations to three separate organizations in our community.

The first check went to Kenny Rogers Children Center. We also held a Friday night Fish fry to benefit this center because they have had trouble raising funds due to COVID.

Another donation was made to Spread Hope Now, a ministry consortium started by community churches. This group houses a warming center, offering food and shelter during cold nights to the homeless. They also give out household items not covered by food stamps once a month, including donated furniture, diapers, dish sets, and bedding from their warehouse. They also house a prom gown trade-in store for those who cannot afford a gown on their own.

The picture on this page shows our group with a check to Missouri Delta, a locally owned and operated hospital. The money will help with the purchase of an EBUS machine that will detect lung cancer in its earliest stages. Lung cancer is a leading cause of chronic disease and death in the Bootheel and this machine will greatly help to detect this cancer before it becomes stage 4, which is the typical diagnosis stage.

God blesses us all, how can we become a blessing?

(Picture: Cay Sikes, Jason Schrumpf, Amy Alcorn, Charlotte York, Linda Norton, Lynn Feeler, and Annette Joseph)