Helping the forgotten, unloved and despised

"What does it mean to be a Methodist?" Even though I was privileged to attend a Methodist school and church for the better part of my life, I was always challenged to provide a satisfactory answer to this question.

To address my frustration, I decided to find out more. Some distinctive beliefs that define Methodists include being "born again", that salvation is available to all, and an emphasis on the ideals of the social gospel, amongst other things.

Then it struck me that I was taught all these things in Sunday school or during the sermons that were preached in church. That was my "aha" moment—I had heard, but failed to listen.

Of all these teachings, putting our beliefs into action by ministering to those facing social challenges in life is probably the most important to me. One of my favourite verses is James 1:27, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

Let us not forget to minister to those who, in the eyes of our society, are forgotten, unloved, and despised. Invest your time, be a good steward and bless them with your resources, so that they too will have the opportunity to be touched by God's love through you.