Dear World: Let’s Stop Giving Our Junk to the Poor

- by Kristen Welch

I was getting ready to leave for a trip to Kenya a couple of years ago, when a church emailed and asked if we had any specific needs. I quickly responded and told them I wanted to give Maureen, our Kenyan Director, an iPhone, so we could communicate during (almost weekly) power outages. I told them if they would buy one instead, we could use the money for other needed items.

On the church’s Facebook feed a few days later, I saw an appeal that said something like, “We want to support a ministry with a used iPhone. If you have an old one you can donate, please let us know.”

I was given an older iPhone a week later. On the ground in Kenya, I realized it wouldn’t hold a charge for more than 10 minutes. The phone was junk.

So, when I left Kenya, I gave Maureen my used one that worked.

The church contacted me after the trip and asked how Maureen liked her new phone? I told them it was useless and said, “Don’t worry about it. I gave her mine.”

“Oh, we feel badly, please let us replace your phone! We want to buy you a brand new one, an upgrade. You deserve it,” I told them I used my husband’s upgrade and already had a replacement phone.

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation 308 College Drive

Gaffney, SC 29340 864-489-6183

www.incarnation-gaffney.org

November 2014

The Episcopal Church of the Incarnation

The Rt. Rev. W. Andrew Waldo Bishop of Upper S. C. The Rev. Jenny Gettys Rector The Rev. Pat Gotautas Deacon Mrs. Ann Batchler Parish Sec. / Bookkeeper Mr. Hal Tyson Choir Director and Organist

2014 Vestry

Bobby Love Senior Warden, Hospitality 864-487-7256 Scott Glidden Junior Warden, Evangelism/Outreach 704-473-7318 Ree Batten Christian Education 864-590-2641 Sara Harding Pastoral Care 864-463-7922 Danny Stacy Buildings/Grounds 864-489-7401 Lori Thompson Stewardship 504-982-4576 Carla Winter Worship 864-489-2636

ex officio, David Taylor Treasurer 864-838-5602 ex officio, Renée McFalls, Vestry Clerk 864-487-0049

The Incarnation Word 1

“Ok. Instead we would like to write you a $500 check for the inconvenience.”

Give it to Maureen, I said.

And they did.

While the church tried to make it right, I was bothered by the fact they were more than will-ing to buy me a new phone I didn’t need. I have noticed this mentality permeates the Church as a whole: The poor will be happy with our leftovers. They don’t know any better. They live in Africa or Honduras, they don’t need the latest technology or the best brands like we do. They will ap-preciate anything we give because some-thing is more than nothing.

Why do we give others-often those in service to the poor or the poor them-selves-something we wouldn’t keep or

give ourselves?

Somehow collecting clothes for immi-grants has become the perfect opportunity to get rid of stuff we don’t want and gather-ing baby items for new moms is the perfect excuse to toss out stained and worn cloth-ing we wouldn’t dare use again. I’ve packed suitcases with beautiful donations, but mostly I’ve pilfered through piles of junk donated in the name of Jesus.

The Incarnation Word 112 The Incarnation Word

stresses out of business.

It’s time to think about not only what we give and how we give it, but also why we give it. Just because it makes us feel bet-ter (and cleans out our garage at the same time), doesn’t mean it’s the best for those in need. Perhaps we should look a little deeper into our hearts and wallets when we can say, I don’t have money to give to the poor, but I have a lot of stuff. Maybe we need to buy less stuff, so we have more to give?

“We’re not giving what we’re called to give, unless that giv-ing effects how we live — ef-fects what we put on our plate and where we make our home and hang our hat and what kind of threads we’ve got to have on our back. Surplus Giving is the leftover you can afford to give; Sacrificial Giving is the love gift that changes how you live — because the love of Christ has changed you. God doesn’t want your leftovers. God wants your love overtures, your first-overs, because He is your first love.”

-Ann Voskamp

There have been times over the years, I’ve gasped and grinned at the beautiful items I’ve sorted and packed for the impover-ished. When we give our best, we are liv-ing our best. We are saying with our dona-

It’s time to stop giving our junk to the

poor.

There’s nothing wrong with used or second-hand. It’s often my first and favorite choice. Many organizations and ministries depend on used gifts. But if we give used, it should be our best. I’m not saying when we clean out older clothes or toys or things we don’t use any longer and donate them–that this is wrong. I am saying if we give it away, it should be something we would use ourselves.

The poor may not have wealth, but they have dignity. I’ve met people without elec-tricity or running water who swept their dirt floors daily, pressed their clothes neatly, walked miles to work on muddy roads, dodging sewage and never had a speck of dirt on them. They value their own worth, we should too.

I’ll never forget meeting a woman in Africa who supported her large family by reselling used clothes from America. But when she held up clothes to show me what was for sale– clothes Americans had donated in clothing drives–they were tattered and stained. I was embarrassed.

Her best depended on our worst.

Just because our donation feels like we are helping, in reality, we could be hurting.

Bales of used clothes are sold to African countries for resell and they end up flooding the market and often

put local textile businesses and seam-

November 2014November 2014November 2014

Sunday Mon. Tues Wed Thurs Friday Saturday

26 20th Pentecost Proper 25

8:30 HE I 9:30 Sunday School 10:30 HE II

27

28

6:30 EfM

29

6:00 HE/Healing

7:00 Choir

30

31

Hallow-een

Popcorn 4:30-7:30

1

2 All Saints Sunday

8:30 HE I 9:30 Breakfast 10:30 Holy Baptism 11:45 Vestry Mtg

3

4

6:30 EfM

5

6:00 HE/Healing

7:00 Choir

6

7

Rector’s Sabbath

8 9:30 DOK

Farmers’ Foodshare Gleaning

9 22nd Pentecost Proper 27

8:30 HE I 9:30 Christian Ed 10:30 HE II 11:45 Worship Com Mtg

10

11

6:30 EfM

12

6:00 HE/Healing

7:00 Choir

13

14

15

Reverse Farm Stand

16 23rd Pentecost Proper 28

8:30 HE I 9:30 Christian Ed. 10:30 HE II 11:45 E-Reach Mtg

17

18

6:30 EfM

19

6:00 HE/Healing

7:00 Choir

20

21 Rector’s Sabbath

22

BREAD FROM

HEAVEN 8:00-noon

23 24th Pentecost Proper 29

8:30 HE I 9:30 Christian Ed. 10:30 HE II

24 25

6:30 EfM

26

6:00

Thanksgiv-ing Service

27

Thanks-giving

28

Rector’s Sabbath

29

30 1st Advent

8:30 HE I 9:30 Christian Ed. 10:30 HE II

1 2

6:30 EfM

3 5:30 Kids’

Choir 6:00 Advent

Supper & Service

7:30 Choir

4 5 Rector’s Sabbath

6

Jenny+ at DEC

meeting

Jenny at DEC Retreat

The Incarnation Word 3 10 The Incarnation Word

Da

te

No

v. 2

A

ll S

ain

ts’

Su

nd

ay

No

v. 9

2

2n

d

Pe

nte

co

st

No

v.1

6

23

rd

Pe

nte

co

st

No

v. 2

3

La

st

Pe

nte

co

st

No

v.2

6

Th

anksgiv

ing

Eve

.

No

v. 3

0

Fir

st A

dve

nt

Acoly

te

Le

slie

B.

Elli

s G

. A

rnold

T.

Mic

ha

el D

. L

eslie

B.

Lo

rie

T.

OT

Le

cto

r R

ené

e M

. L

eslie

B.

An

n T

. R

ené

e M

. L

eslie

B.

Luke

H.

NT

Le

cto

r M

icha

el D

. W

arr

en

G.

Jo

hn

G.

Sco

tt G

. L

eslie

B.

An

n T

.

Inte

rce

sso

r L

uke

H.

Sco

tt G

.

Cyn

thia

G.

Da

nn

y S

. C

yn

thia

G.

Ma

rth

a S

. N

one

Da

vid

T.

Eu

ch

Min

P

at G

. C

yn

thia

G.

Lo

ri T

. L

eslie

B.

Le

slie

B.

Be

tty T

.

Alta

r G

uild

Ja

ckie

H.

La

Do

nna

W.

Ca

rla

W.

Ma

e E

lla B

.

Ch

arlo

tte

H.

Ho

pe

G.

Ma

rty M

.

Da

wn

B.

Je

nnie

H.

Su

die

G.

Cin

dy L

.

Ja

ckie

H.

Ca

rla

W.

Ja

ckie

H.

La

Do

nna

W.

Ca

rla

W.

Gre

ete

rs

Ta

ylo

rs

Gre

en

es

Bro

wn

s

Lo

ve

s

Sta

cys

Ge

loks

Nu

rse

ry

Sa

ra H

. M

art

y M

. Ju

lie T

. V

olu

nte

er

Re

e B

. R

ené

e M

.

Kid

s’ C

hap

el

Lo

ri T

. L

uke

H.

Da

vid

T.

Re

e B

. N

one

Sa

ra H

.

Go

dly

Pla

y

No

ne

Ma

rty M

.

Ho

pe

G.

Lo

ri T

.

Ap

ril M

.

Cyn

thia

G.

Ca

rol P

.

No

ne

An

gh

ara

d T

.

Ju

lie T

.

Coff

ee

Ho

ur

Bre

akfa

st

Ma

rty M

. D

aw

n B

.

Je

nnie

H.

Cin

dy L

. N

one

Su

die

G.

Co

un

ters

B

ob

F.

Cyn

thia

G.

Da

vid

T.

Sco

tt G

.

Ap

ril M

.

Be

n T

.

Da

vid

T.

Cyn

thia

G.

No

ne

Bo

b F

.

An

n T

.

Novem

ber S

ervers’ Schedule

Novem

ber S

ervers’ Schedule

Novem

ber S

ervers’ Schedule

Godly Play Sundays at 9:30 Our little ones will experience some inspir-ing stories and then wonder about what God is doing in them. Nov 9 - The Story of Jacob Jacob struggled all night with God - I won-der what it’s like to struggle with God? Nov 16 - The Story of Joseph Joseph forgave his brothers for trying to kill him - I wonder what it’s like to forgive someone who’s hurt you? Nov 23 - The Story of Moses Moses heard God speak in a burning bush - I wonder when you’ve heard God speak? Nov 30 - The Ten Best Ways to Live God gave the people ten ways to live with one another - I wonder which one is most important?

Grapple Sundays at 9:30 The pre-teens gather each Sunday to grapple with the deep questions of what their faith means for their daily lives.

Christian EducationChristian EducationChristian Education

tion, you are valuable. We are whispering with our gift, you are worthy of the best. We have the opportunity to speak self worth when we give generously.

It’s a promise for them.

It’s a promise for us.

“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”- Prov-erbs 19:17

The next time we have the opportunity to share

what we have with someone who is in need. let’s give from the pile we want to keep, not from the one we want to throw out.

- From the blog WeAreThatFamily.org

We’ll celebrate the birth of Christ at two services on Christmas Eve:

5:00 pm - Kid-Friendly Service with a participatory sermon and Holy Eucharist

11:00 pm - Candlelight Service with Holy Eucharist

4 The Incarnation Word The Incarnation Word 9

The Homebound and Those with Long-Term Needs: Mike Bradburn Bill Bradley Ronnie Brown Renee Carnes Lori Crook

Miller David Peggy Fort Isaac Gelok Barbara Gupton Billy Hatcher Frances Higgins Nancy Jude Jim Kennedy Catherine Long Bobby Parris J. L. Peake Marcia Peake Bruce Risher Suzanne Searson Keith Smith Jim Spigner Mary Threadgill Bruce Tyson Betty Griffin Weaver

The Deceased: Stephanie Parrish Molly Smith

Patterson Gelok Nov. 1 Abby Elmore Nov. 1 John Guthrie Nov. 3 Jamie Greene Nov. 5 Jessica Niblack Nov. 7 Julie Taylor Nov. 11 Kim Guthrie Nov. 20 Graham Love Nov. 20 Eddy Bridges Nov. 25

BirthdaysBirthdaysBirthdays Prayer ListPrayer ListPrayer List

Sunday, September 28 56

Wednesday, Oct. 1 6 Sunday, Oct. 5 64

Wednesday, Oct. 8 7 Sunday, Oct. 12 51

Wednesday, Oct. 15 6 Sunday, Oct. 19 48

Sunday, Oct. 26 62

AttendanceAttendanceAttendance

AnniversariesAnniversariesAnniversaries

Danny & Martha Stacy Nov. 24 Glenn & Pat Stacy Nov. 26 Ed & Jackie Hoffman Nov. 27

The Bible Challenge Discussion Group Sundays at 9:30 The adults will explore the entire New Testament over the course of the next year, and we’ll gather to discuss what we’ve been reading. It’s never too late to pick up your Bible and join us! Sat, Nov 1 - Mark 7:24-8:21 Sun, Nov 2 - Mark 8:22-9:13 Mon, Nov 3 - Mark 9:14-50 Tues, Nov 4 - Mark 10:1-45 Wed, Nov 5 - Mark 10:46-11:11 Thurs, Nov 6 - Mark 11:12-12:33 Fri, Nov 7 - Mark 12:1-17 Sat, Nov. 8 - Mark:12:- 18-44 Sun. Nov 9 - Mark:13-27 Mon, Nov 10 - Mark 13:28-14:11

Tues, Nov 11 - Mark 14:12-72 Wed, Nov 12 - Mark 15:1-32 Thurs, Nov 13 - Mark 15:33-16:20 Fri, Nov 14 - Luke 1:1-38 Sat, Nov 15 - Luke 1:39-80 Sun, Nov 16 - Luke 2:1-52 Mon, Nov 17 - Luke 3:1-20 Tues, Nov 18 - Luke 3:21-4:13 Wed, Nov 19 - Luke 4:14-44 Thurs, Nov 20 - Luke 5:1-26 Fri, Nov 21 - Luke 5:27-6:11 Sat, Nov 22 - Luke 6:12-49 Sun, Nov 23 - Luke 7:1-17 Mon, Nov 24 - Luke 7:18-50 Tues, Nov 25 - Luke 8:1-39 Wed, Nov 26 - Luke 8:40-9:27 Thurs, Nov 29 - Luke 9:28-10:16 Fri, Nov 28 - Luke 10:17-11:13 Sat, Nov 29 - Luke 11:14-41 Sun, Nov 30 - Luke 11:42-12:12

Pledge Ingathering Sunday, November 2 On All Saints Sunday we’ll place our com-pleted pledge cards on the altar as an of-fering back to God from what he’s given us. Please bring your cards with you that day and plan to join the procession of saints!

StewardshipStewardshipStewardship

A big “thank you” goes to our wonderful team of Stewardship Speakers this year:

Ellis Greene David Taylor Pat Gotautas

Lori Thompson. You all inspired and challenged us . Saturday, November 1

8 The Incarnation Word The Incarnation Word 5

First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel

November 2 All Saints Sun.

Revelation 7:9-17

Psalm 34:1-10, 22

1 John 3:1-3

Matthew 5:1-12

November 9 Proper 27

Amos 5:18-24

Psalm 70

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13

November 16 Proper 28

Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

Psalm 90:1-8, 12

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30

November 23 Christ The King

Proper 29

Ezekiel 34:11-16

20-24

Psalm 95:1-7a

Ephesians 1:15-23

Matthew 25:31-46

November 26 Thanksgiving

Deuteronomy 8:7-18

Psalm 65

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Luke 17:11-19

November 30 First Advent

Isaiah 64:1-9

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18

1 Corinthians 1:3-9

Mark 13:24-37

ReadingsReadingsReadings

People really do want to help those in need. Also, if you know any knitters or cro-cheters, we’d love to have hats and scarves to distribute as well.

Boy Scout Food Drive Saturday, November 8

Each fall the Boy Scouts do a canned food drive through many of the Gaffney neighborhoods. This year all the food they collect will be donated to Bread from Heaven! So be generous if they collect in your neighborhood - and be sure to thank the scouts for their selfless work!

Bread from Heaven Saturday, November 22 8:00-12:00

In October, we fed 97 people at Bread from Heaven:

7 adults over 65 47 adults

43 children under 18. People left with bags of food, but they also left feeling loved and empowered, listened to and prayed for. Bring donations to re-fill our shelves any time. Some of the most-requested items

Community Garden

Check out our frost-proof setup in the garden - we’ll be able to offer fresh food all winter long at Bread from Heaven!

Halloween Popcorn Friday, October 31 4:30-7:30 pm On Halloween night, at least 2,000 trick-or-treaters and their families will go up and down College Drive collecting good-ies. Let’s be part of the fun! We’ll have an old-fashioned popcorn machine in the front yard and pass out little bags of munchy goodness. And we’ll label the bags with our service times, in case any of the little gobblins are looking for a church home. We’ll meet at the church at 4:30, as the littlest ones are just getting started. And we’ll warm up after-wards with chili at Jenny and Miles’ house!

Coat Drive

As the weather turns cooler, we’ll be col-lecting winter coats to give to our Bread from Heaven shoppers. Please go through your closets and bring any gently used coats (adults’ as well as children’s)

to the church - and tell all your friends.

Evangelism / OutreachEvangelism / OutreachEvangelism / Outreach

Annual Meeting Sunday, December 7 at 9:30 As we begin the season of Advent and the new church year, we’ll celebrate all God has done at Incarnation over the past year. We’ll have our regular breakfast together and discuss over our meal. We’ll also elect two new vestry mem-bers. And we’ll select two people to serve as dele-gates to Diocesan Con-vention for the next two years. Join us and let your voice be heard!

Vestry Nominations The vestry are those members of Incarnation elected to govern the church. They make deci-sions about the direction we’re headed and the programs we offer. And they have sole responsibility for the finances of the church. Would you be in-terested in serving on the vestry? You must be a confirmed Episcopalian, a mem-ber of Incarnation, and “known to the treasurer.” If you’re interested in serving, talk to any vestry member. And thank you!

Vestry NewsVestry NewsVestry News

6 The Incarnation Word The Incarnation Word 7

were:

Our base of support continues to grow. Last month we were able to give away three cases of vine-ripened tomatoes, thanks to the good folks at Charles Jones Pro-duce. Do you know of any-one who might be able to donate some food? Scott has brochures for you to share, outlining what we do and who all our partners are. Talk to him today!

And plan to join us on November 22 as we make sure our friends have plenty to eat for Thanksgiving.

Christmas Kids

The Department of Social Services needs our help this Christmas. Most children in

foster care will receive Christmas gifts from their foster parents, but those placed in group homes of-ten don’t have anyone to

remember them at Christmas. We have the names and wish list of five such chil-

All Saints Sunday Sunday, November 2 We’ll remember all those who’ve gone be-fore and baptize our newest baby brother, Ethan Hendrix. We’ll also offer up our pledges of time, talent, and treasure and ask God to bless our gifts.

Thanksgiving Service Wednesday, November 26 at 6:00

This engaging, kid-friendly ser-vice will give us each a chance to recall some of our many blessings and then thank God for them.

Advent Kids’ Choir December 3, 10, and 17 at 5:30

The kids will gather with Jenny+ in the choir room to have fun learning some simple songs which they’ll offer as anthems on Sun-

days in Advent. Assorted rhythm instru-ments will make it even more fun! Get a copy of the songs from Jenny+ so your family can start singing them in the car!

Wednesday Advent Services December 3, 10, and 17 at 6:00

We’ll begin with a simple meal together at 6:00. Then we’ll enjoy a casual, kid-friendly time of hands-on worship together as we figure out what we have to offer the Christ child.

HospitalityHospitalityHospitality

Breakfast Sunday, November 2 at 9:30

French toast leads the menu this month - fresh-off-the-griddle, crispy to perfection French

toast made from your choice of a variety of fresh breads. Make plans to enjoy a fabu-lous breakfast prepared by the men of In-carnation.

Advent Wednesday Suppers Wednesday December 3, 10, and 17 6:00 pm We’ll begin our Wednes-day evenings in Advent with a simple supper to-gether of soup and sand-wiches - something the whole family will enjoy. Keep an eye on the bulletin board in the hallway and sign up to bring all or part of a meal.

Incarnation Christmas Party Saturday, December 20 at 7:00pm Everyone’s invited (kids, too) to celebrate the season at Jenny and Miles’ home. Bring a heavy hors d’oevre to share and whatever you’d like to drink and come relax with your church family.

WorshipWorshipWorship

dren. Watch the wall in the hallway for a Christmas Tree decorated with gift tags, each containing a specific gift request. Please take as many as you can, purchase the items listed, wrap them, and label them with the appropriate child’s name. DSS will deliver them, helping some lonely children feel Christ’s love at Christmas.

Holiday Tour Sunday, December 14 2:00-6:00 pm

Cherokee Historical and Preservation So-ciety, the museum across the street from us, is hosting a walk-

ing tour and they’ve asked to include Incar-nation on it! Participants will walk through Trinity Garden and see our columburium before coming into the church itself, where they’ll see and learn about the season of Advent. Would you like to greet our visi-tors and tell them about us? Talk to Jenny+ today. This is a great chance to welcome folks who may be looking for a church home! Luminaries and Caroling Saturday, December 6 at 6:00

We’ll serenade those driving through the luminaries on College Drive with carols and a live nativity scene.

toilet paper feminine hygiene

products fruit juice

meat powdered milk

fresh fruit rice

pasta

baked beans dried beans

canned meat canned fruit paper towels

laundry detergent hand soap

dish detergent