“Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NRSV)

Probably like you, I get tired of watching the news. Also, probably like you, some days I cannot seem to turn it off. It is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I cannot avert my eyes from seeing what reporter will share a grim statistic or which expert will talk about a vaccine breakthrough.

I have learned to limit my news intake. It can be toxic for my soul and emotionally exhausting. However, one “news source” that does the opposite is Some Good News with John Krasinski. With over 2-million subscribers to his no-budget YouTube channel that started four weeks ago, this Hollywood actor brings a lot of joy to a lot of people during this trying time.

And I want to share “Some Good News” with you. In the last month, Naples UCC has quietly made an impact in people’s lives and it has been my privilege to help it happen. One church member made it possible for another church member’s family to have their air conditioning replaced, a particular need with their three small children at home with no air conditioning. One couple made another church member’s car payment the member’s spouse lost their job. The Clergy Team Benevolence Fund has paid the mortgage for a family last month and is preparing to pay the rent of a family next month.

But my favorite story this month is when a couple asked me to help them “make a difference in Immokalee” and gave a check. We had talked about a couple of ideas, but this past Monday, I received a call from a friend who is a school psychologist in the Collier County Schools. She asked if I could help with a situation. The lead teacher of the teenage mothers program in Immokalee was worried about food & diapers for her students and their babies. I smiled and said “yes, we can help!” I matched the gift from the church members with funds from the Clergy Team Benevolence Fund and we provided a $200 grocery store gift card for each mother.

You may hear lots of “doom and gloom” about death tolls and our economy on the news today. But I want you to hear “Some Good News:” God is at work in our world through our church.

Rev. Dr. Dawson B. Taylor
Senior Minister

For those who are facing food insecurity,
Generous God, help me to be a cheerful giver in whatever way I can. Amen.