Publisher’s Note: Find Joy in Bringing Joy to the Less Fortunate

The Holiday season is upon us and with that season comes an air of hope and thankfulness. At this time of year, families gather and individually reflect on achievements and even the disappointments of the year. The song already has begun playing – It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. However, the holiday season can bring a bit of frustration and disappointments to families, especially young children. 

I sit on the board of Family Promise. Its mission is to provide temporary shelter to homeless families and wrap around services to get the family unit on its feet. Family Promise works with churches in Roanoke and Salem that assist in housing these families in their hour of need. I applaud the churches for the comfort they provide families. However, Family Promise needs more churches to help with sheltering the homeless. 

I have approached several churches in the area and have been quite surprised to find there is little interest in helping. That really confuses me because I thought one of the main purposes of the church is to house the sick and shut in and to lift and minister to the people when they are downtrodden and hopeless. For the record, I am a preacher’s kid (PK is the term people use). I still attend church on a regular basis. I recognize that some churches have ministries outside of the church including regular visits to jails, hospitals, nursing homes, etc. However, it saddens me that these days it appears those ministries are becoming fewer and fewer. 

My hope is that during this holiday season as you enjoy wonderful food and fellowship with family and friends, please remember the less fortunate and find ways to bless them with the spirit of the holiday season that they can cherish as well. That’s the true meaning of the holidays!

Find joy in

bringing joy to the less fortunate