For the last seven weeks, we have had an outward focus on our discipleship. We have been challenged to engage in Acts of Mercy and do something to aid a person that might be in need. Wesley had a strong desire for the people called Methodist to be in the business of helping others. At Trinity UMC, we are seeking to carry out that mission on a regular basis. For many people, helping someone else is an easy thing to do.

   This week, though we shift to an inward focus by looking at what Wesley defined as acts of piety. Google’s online dictionary defines piety as: “the quality of being religious or reverent .”
It lists the following as possible synonyms—”devoutness,  devotion,  piousness,  religion,  holiness,  godliness,  saintliness.”

You will note from this definition and its synonyms that we are not talking so much about actions that we do towards others when we talk about piety. Instead, we are now talking about an attitude or a way of life that produces within us a form of holiness or godliness. For many people, this is a much more difficult thing to achieve than it is to be merciful. Piety involves the very core of who we are and how we interact with and respond to God and God’s call upon our lives. The scriptures make it clear that we have been called to be holy. Acts of piety help us to achieve that end.

​  According to Steve Manskar at the UM Blog: Equipping Disciples,  piety can be viewed in two ways. First of all through acts of devotion. Manskar states: “Acts of devotion are the personal works of piety. They are practices performed alone with God. John Wesley recommended at least three acts of devotion:
· Personal and family prayer
· Searching the Scriptures
· Fasting or abstinence”
 
Manskar further states: “Acts of devotion keep the heart open to grace that keeps you centered in Christ and what he is up to in your life. When the heart is open to grace it becomes more and more open to the world that God loves, which means that acts of devotion help equip you for acts of compassion and justice. “
 
   Manskar then suggests that “…(A)cts of worship are the social and public works of piety. They are what Christians do together when they gather in Christ’s name.”
John Wesley lists three acts of worship in the third General Rule:
· The public worship of God
· The ministry of the Word, whether read or expounded
· The Lord’s Supper
 
   In the weeks ahead we will take a closer look at these acts of piety and see how engaging in them can make us a stronger disciple of Jesus Christ.
 

  The final action in the traditional list of Corporal Acts of Mercy is giving alms to the poor.  The classic definition of alms is “money or food given to poor people.”

   We tend not to have too many people sitting around on our streets shouting out: “Alms. Alms for the poor.” Yet, we as a church still minister to persons that are in need of assistance.

   At Trinity UMC, we regularly receive calls asking for assistance with utilities, rent, medicine, gasoline, and food. It would be a blessing to be able to respond in a positive manner to all of these requests. Instead, we must judge each request as it comes in. Most people do not get assistance from us simply because we do not have the funds available for assistance. However, some people do receive this modern day equivalent of alms.

   In this modern setting, we never actually give any money to those seeking assistance. If they have a bill, we pay directly to the person or organization to which the bill is owed. If they need food, we purchase the food and give it to them. If they need gasoline, we go to Food City and put the gas in their tank.

   The responsibility of giving alms, however, does not entirely rest with the church. There is nothing that forbids us as individuals from assisting persons that are in need by supplying money or items.

   Therein, lies the opportunity that we have to make a difference and to grow in our level of discipleship. On the one hand, we do need money given to the church so that we can assist individuals in need. The church is grateful for such donations. On the other hand, individuals have the opportunity to not only give “alms” directly to people, but to also directly engage in conversation with the person that is being assisted. It is this more personal touch that I feel is important. The ability to not just hear the person’s need, but to also begin a conversation and, perhaps, enter into an ongoing dialogue. This is the basis for sharing your faith and becoming a stronger disciple.

   Here are some things to consider:

· When you encounter someone seeking alms, don’t just ignore him or her. Say a quick prayer and ask God how you might help out.

· Regularly support opportunities that are given by the church as we seek to minister to groups and individuals.

· Take the time to stop and talk with the person that is seeking aid and, if possible, follow up on your conversation at a later date. Keep the channels of communication open.

· Find a local charity that needs volunteers and get involved.

· Set aside the cost of one fast food meal this week and give the money to the church NOW Team fund so that we can have it available to assist people that come to us.
 

​  This week, I want us to consider the traditional Corporal Work of Mercy: Bury the Dead.

   In the church, death is recognized and acknowledged in ways differently than most other societal institutions. We accept its reality and we stand as a faithful witness in the face of death saying, “O death where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

   With faith in the resurrection, we boldly state that the earthly finality of death is but a mere passing from this world to life eternal. However, we don’t neglect the care of those that have experienced death within their family. As the church family, we come together and offer support.

   At Trinity UMC, we have several avenues of support that we offer to a family when it experiences the death of a family member:

· Pastoral visits are made to the home of the surviving family.

· Grief kits, containing paper goods, forks, cups etc,. Along with a booklet for family members to read concerning aspects of dealing with loss, is available to each family in the church. We also send these kits out to friends of our members that we might know in the community.

​· A meal is offered to each family, either at their home or at the church. Sometimes it is quite elaborate, when a large family is involved. Sometimes its just sandwich meats, bread, and other simple snacks when the family is small.

These are the official methods whereby our church ministers to families at the time of death. However, I would like to suggest that there are some unofficial things that you might be able to do to also minister to the grieving family.

· When you learn about a death in our church family, make a phone call to offer your condolences.

· Go to the visitation and offer your condolences.

· Send a card to the family and briefly mention some aspect of the deceased’s life that was special to you.

· Keep open lines of communication with the family in the weeks that follow a death. Often these are the most difficult of times and tend to become the most neglected of times by many of us.

· If the surviving family member now lives alone, consider inviting him or her out to lunch or over to your home for dinner.

· Consider planning out aspects of your own funeral service: music and scriptures you like. Poems that are meaningful to you. Such thoughtful planning would be a big comfort to your remaining family members.

    Perhaps one of the most overlooked of ministries in which a local church can engage is ministries with those that are in prison.

   I have to admit, that this has never been a priority in my ministry. I did not know where to start and, in some ways, it was a scary ministry to ponder. However, there are numerous groups that do engage in such ministries-Kairos being one of which I am aware.  We are situated in a community with a prison. As a matter of fact, within easy driving distance, there are several prisons or regional jails.

   Prisoners face the social stigma that comes from being incarcerated. For some, the love of Christ might be a distant memory—if they have ever encountered and experienced at all. Somehow, we must find ways to keep these men and women, not just is our prayers, but also in our active ministry zones.

   As I ponder this mission field, I think we would to well to consider:

• While someone is incarcerated, there is a good chance that he or she has family, often times children, living in the community that might need or benefit from the ministries of the church. Could we find ways to help these families?
• Not all ministry needs to be face to face ministry. We can team up with groups and organizations, such as Kairos,  that go into the prisons.
• Ministry to those in prison comes with certain restrictions. We would need to explore what is involved and what is allowed as we seek to minister to those in prison. This is where teaming up with an organization already involved in such a ministry could be beneficial.
• Not everyone is going to be cut out for ministry to and with those behind bars.
• Ministry for those in prison, could flow over to persons as they exit the prison system and move back into local communities. It is a time of transition for these individuals and a loving church family might just be the thing to make that transition go more smoothly.
• The Kairos teams (which do ministry with inmates) encourage people who are not comfortable inside a prison to bake cookies, pray or make cards in Sunday school classes with messages for the inmates.
• Helping inmates to stay dedicated to their faith once they're released is the focus of a program in Fort Lupton, Colo. The "Backpack Ministry for the Homeless" program gives a backpack filled with necessities to inmates leaving jail. The backpacks cost $50 to $100 each to put together.