[LOVE GOD] FOLLOWING TO LEAD: KAY MARTIN (continued from the previous page) choose her prayer beads and I could visibly see her relax. As she created her prayer beads, a peaceful expression came upon her face. Each time we met with a table leader, we prayed over their beads. The whole experience drew us closer to God and one another. As Kristen Vincent said in her presentation, “Prayer beads can help us recognize that we are deeply loved by God.” They can remind us to be still and pray. They can help us listen and pay attention. They are concrete objects that remind us that we are not alone and that God is always with us! Everyone who attended the Bead and A Prayer Retreat encouraged us to bring this ministry to our entire congregation! Now, Vicki and I are looking for ways to offer this prayer ministry to others including children and youth. We want each person’s experience to be special and unique, and we want the beads to help people in their prayer life and to feel closer to God; not only speak to God in prayer but to feel God’s presence and grace, and to be able to listen to what God is saying. I pray that this ministry will continue to grow in the life of our congregation! If you or your small group is interested in learning about protestant prayer beads or if you or your group would like to make prayer beads, please contact Cherri Johnson at cherri@firstmethodist.org. or by calling 383-4777, ext. 249.
(Continued from the UMW Award Recipients article on page 11)
WHY I SERVE: SINGING FROM THE HEART BY DONNA BRITT
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y faith journey began the moment I was born while my parents were in seminary in Fort Worth, TX. My mother immediately dropped out of school to raise a family. When I was in first grade I gave my heart to the Lord. From childhood, volunteering has been a major part of my life – the fun part. Through the years, my dad as a Southern Baptist preacher would roll up his sleeves and work alongside people in his church community. My dad said, “Using your power to help is the best witness you could give.” Through my 37 years as a TV personality at WAFB, I have appeared at hundreds of schools, luncheons, and fund-raisers. I have served on almost 20 community boards; I have worked hundreds of hours on Salvation Army kettles as a “bell-ringer”, raising much-needed funds while spreading joy through singing. God makes your heart sing when you are doing the right
What inspired you to start serving others? From a young age, I have always felt blessed. It is hard to explain because I did not grown up in a family that was particularly blessed financially or by other ordinary measures of success. But, I always had a strong sense of being given gifts that I did not deserve and wanting to serve others because I had been blessed in this way.
WITH UMW SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT TASHA WHITTON 16 930north | www.firstmethodist.org | Fall 2018
How has serving others changed you? I love to read and talk to others about what I am reading. I use this gift by facilitating discussions about books and materials that I have found useful. Walking with God is an ongoing journey of spiritual transformation. I am so grateful for those who have joined me on this journey and agreed to discuss books and ideas with me along the way. I am changed by each of those conversations.
