Church in Kentucky Annual Conference contributes to Church and Society

A United Methodist church from the Kentucky Annual Conference has contributed $4,000 from its consignment sale to Church and Society in support of its programs promoting peace and justice. Christ Church of Louisville made the commitment from the proceeds from its semiannual Pass It On Kids’ sale. Pass It On Kids is a sale of children’s gently-used clothing, toys, furniture, and equipment plus maternity clothes.

In addition to Church and Society, the church chose Wesley Manor and the Portland Promise Center, two local charities, as beneficiaries of its September sale. According to Mark Coile, director of lay ministries at Christ Church, the congregation selected Church and Society because of its work on social justice and in support of refugees.

“Christ Church UMC has a growing interest in justice ministries that reach the marginalized members of our society,” said the Rev. Dr. Esther Jadhav, member Church and Society’s board of directors and assistant vice president of intercultural affairs at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.

“This monetary gift demonstrates their interest and commitment. I am deeply grateful to the church for this expression. The Kentucky Annual Conference is made up of local churches and congregants who care deeply about the work of the church, and its impact on our society and the world. May those who receive and those who give be blessed in furthering the Kingdom of God in our midst,” she continued.

The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, general secretary of Church and Society, thanked the Church’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. George Strunk, as well as church staff and the large number of volunteers who ensure the sale is a success. She said that Church and Society will use the contribution for the exact sort of programs that Christ Church intends.

“Not only have we been working on issues at the U.S.-Mexico border, but our United Nations office has been working on refugee and indigenous people’s issues throughout the world. We also are eager to increase our ability to train local churches, including those in the Kentucky Annual Conference, at grassroots-organizing on immigration and other social justice issues,” she said.

Henry-Crowe said she would welcome Church and Society becoming the designated charity of other churches or community groups that wish to further the agency’s goal of “Living Faith, Seeking Justice, Pursuing Peace.”