Dear Glen Mar friends,

I spent the morning serving breakfast at Manna House in Baltimore alongside some other good Glen Mar folks. It was a great time! I hadn’t seen their new digs and it’s quite impressive—very new and clean and hospitable. I love serving at our Day Resource Center in Jessup, but if we get “full” there and you are looking to volunteer, Manna House is a great option! Let me know if your small group would like more info! I think they also take youth as well….

The menu was delicious-looking, and hot and filling. The clientele was a good mix of O’s caps and “Purple Thursday” vibes for the Ravens game tonight! (Go Ravens!). From my vantage point over the steam pans, I loved the fellowship and community being built. The “good mornings” and the “Hey…haven’t seen you in a while—how are you doing?” chatter was a blessing. There was even a theological discussion going on about some Bible passages, but I restrained myself from interrupting/interfering. : ) Lots of encouragement and affirmation, ending with the agreement that “We are really all one big family—we are all connected. We need to quit arguing about everything, and start acting like who we are.”

As we reel from yet another act of senseless school violence, it was a God-moment for me to be reminded of the connections we do share—created in God’s image, all called to be siblings in Christ. This week’s scripture from James would have been well-received at Manna House, by orange and purple alike, because it’s about “acting like who we are” and treating people with love and kindness. Join us as we explore the theme “Practically Christian”—and as we start a new year of ministry and programs!!

Pastor Mandy