I am grateful first and most of all for your prayers. Thank you for praying following my recent letter requesting prayer so that we might be able to move one of our programs into another Rutger Street building, and that all of our outreach programs might be successful. While the immediate outcome of meetings with city officials was not what we had hoped, we are persevering to see how God is going to work in the days to come. So I ask that you continue to pray.
I am grateful also for the stories of changed lives. Raymond, became homeless as a result of being incarcerated and is today employed as an operating room technician at Faxton Hospital. David is now employed on our staff, having recently won an award from the National Alliance on Mental Health for his progress in recovery from Mental Illness. Frank is helping others today as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Today, they not only experience success, but they know God’s love for them.
I am also grateful for our volunteers and their countless hours of faithful services to many of our programs. These fundraising events, along with your faithful gifts continue to help people like Raymond, Dave, Frank and so many others.
I am grateful for the opportunities that are ahead of us for the upcoming holiday season. We are preparing for our 17th Annual Gourmet Guys to the Rescue event on November 1 at Hart’s Hill Inn. Please pray for our staff as they gear up for the Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and celebrations.
I am also grateful for the long history of God’s faithfulness to the Rescue Mission of Utica for almost 120 years. To commemorate this milestone, we have asked local author Dave Siegenthaler to write about the history of the Rescue Mission’s outreach in our community. I am excited to announce the book will be offered this fall. If you would like to order a pre-publication copy of the book, please contact Debi Kenyon at the Mission by315- 735-1645 ext. 115 and she would be happy to get you on the list.
And, finally I am most grateful for your support during these hard economic times. Your steadfast prayer and financial commitment is such a great encouragement.
A favorite chorus often sung during Chapel is called, “Give Thanks.” It says, “And now, let the weak say ‘I am strong,’ let the poor say ‘I am rich,’ because of what the Lord has done for us.” Give thanks!
Today I am giving thanks for you!
“The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Message from Rev. Dodge
