June 10,17, 2002
The Juneau County Faith in Action Group is an amalgam of church, community service group, citizen and state united by a community need. They share a common interest to meet this need but are an entity independent of any one party. The action to meet this need is defined as follows; "To help the elderly, disabled and/or chronically ill of Juneau County maintain their independence for as long as possible in their own homes by providing them with voluntary assistance in everyday activities and in that to foster the ideal of neighbors."
The newsletter of the YWCA of La Crosse, WI contains this excerpt "The YWCA ‘Friendship Club" a before and after school youth program…has been in existence since the fall of 1999. The initial goal of this ‘Community Center’ was to provide safe alternatives for youth and their families during the hours before and after school." Instrumental in the inception of this school was the then pastor of the then First Baptist Church of Bangor, WI who put together the coalition of people that interested the YW in the program to meet felt citizen and community need. This was the last hurrah of an historic church body which did not limp out of existence but used it’s failing enthusiasm and strength to birth a new entity which went beyond parochial interests to meet need.
In both of these cases, and in hundreds of others, the mission of the church is carried out. Our clarion call is always "What must we do to carry out God’s mission as individuals and as a church body? How do we put into action the words ‘Proclaiming Grace and Mercy through Jesus the Christ?’" Any ideas?
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
201 Oak St.
Mauston, WI 53948-1333 608-8474555
Past Weeks Thoughts: