One of the initiatives of the North Alabama Annual Conference is Ministry with the Poor.  I have served on the conference’s Ministry with the Poor Team for two years, and last year I stepped up my commitment by working with Quad W. Quad W is a national organization that our conference partners with to put college students in ministry with the Poor internships.  This summer, 8 college interns, who I’ve recruited, will come to Birmingham and live at Avondale Samaritan Place (at AUMC).  They each have 1 or 2 placements that they’ll serve which puts them in relationship and mission WITH those in the community, many of which live at or below the poverty line.

I’m the site director for Birmingham, and Rev. Dr. Adlene Kufarmai is the site director in Huntsville.  Quad W has sites all over the US that students serve in each summer.  This is both to give the churches and organizations extra people to serve in their ministries AND to help shape and encourage young adults in the work of Christian missions.  

I hope that WUMC will support the interns this summer.  There are two main activities I’ve written about inside the newsletter.  You too, can be in ministry with those who live in underserved neighborhoods (like Woodlawn).  Just because one lives under the poverty line doesn’t mean that they don’t have gifts, skills and assets to also serve. We can work together to bring about the Reign of God, where all have abundant life.

Peace,

Emily