A Difference-Maker's Opportunity

Dear Church,

I like to talk about Love-spreading Difference-makers! I suppose it’s my way of saying “disciple!” I know that following Jesus requires us to make a love-spreading difference where we live and sometimes beyond. And, I know it’s not always obvious work—how we make a love-spreading difference in our community, in our workplace, in our schools, in our homes. Maybe we carry a few bags of groceries down to the food cupboard when we volunteer. We could fill some blue bags for One22 and their wonderful clients. Or, we could donate some toys for the Wind River Reservation during our summer toy drive. To be sure, Jackson has hundreds of opportunities to make a love-spreading difference, and our community makes it easy for us to lend a hand most times.

However, when it comes to serving those in our community, our families, our workplaces who are struggling with mental health, the pathway to making a love-spreading difference becomes hazier. Perhaps, we lose that confidence that we feel in other areas where we already spread love.

At the end of October, our church will sponsor a weekend dedicated to helping us raise our confidence in interacting with those in our community who are experiencing suicidal desperation. All of us who live here in Wyoming year round are affected by suicidality, whether it’s someone separated from us by a few degrees or a loved one in our very own family. Over the course of four days in October from the 24th through the 27th, St. John’s will host Soul Shop, a nationally recognized suicide prevention ministry led by Brian Kuhn. There are several opportunities to join in for training—Saturday’s all day session being the most important. I hope you will plan to join us and register for this important day we will share together.

We know so many in our community are suffering. Perhaps, we might be able to do something about it. You can find more information on our website. I hope you’ll encourage folks around the valley to register and attend. The more folks we have trained the greater the opportunity to make a love-spreading difference in the life of someone who is suffering.

Love,

Jimmy