Page 18
December 2002
The AC Phoenix
What Shall I
Render
By Mercedes L. Mille
Altruism is the un
or devotion to the we
During July of 20
rested upon my shou
a hot doughnut.
implementing pro- [\;iercedes L. Miller
grams with the
United Nations, I impassionately
worked with the Honorable Christine
Kapalata - Minister Counselor to
Tanzania.
Kapalata fervidly touted altruism as
the soothing balm for healing a pro
gressively sick land.
The country of Tanzania is bordered
by the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Rand and Burundi. These
African nations are in continual political,
social and spiritual unrest. When
despairing groups of people from these
countries seek refuge, they desperately
flee to Tanzania. According to Kapalata,
Tanzania unselfishly serves as their
“island of peace.”
With open borders serving as
welcoming arms, Tanzanians give of
the little they have to aid others. In a
nurturing manner, they embrace the
outcasts and provide for their stability.
Disregarding personal own lack, their
rendering of service provides an
asylum to those in need.
What will you render?
Minster Counselor Kapalata whole
heartedly embraces the resounding
notion that “community service and
volunteering should be based on a
concept of sharing and giving to
society and making a difference.” Yet
so often the “principles behind
community service are good but there
is also some selfishness.”
In your daily existence, whatever the
situation with which you are faced,
your ability to use your gifts and talents
through the guidance of God provides
a framework for how you may assist
others.
In the parable of the talents, each
individual servant was distributed
talents according to his ability. When
these talents were invested for the
prelation of the Kingdom, the return
provided gain for the prosperous ruler,
the dutiful servant as well as the land.
The balm begins and continues the
healing process as those who will do.
All can, but will you?
Too many hesitant individuals,
reluctant families and cautious entities
are waiting until the right time, a certain
amount of resources or- a specific
event is perfect before they will extend
themselves to others. The time is now;
the resources needed are exactly what
you have; the event is the need of
another.
Whether you effectually term it
community service, outreach,
missions, volunteerism or giving back,
your ability to share begins right where
you are with what you possess.
The unselfish regard for or devotion
to the welfare of others serves as a
catalyst to rectifying the social and
spiritual ills of the land. The land
consists of our immediate community,
state, country, continent and world.
Like Tanzanians, we must reach across
borders and receive others into out
mental,4fpiritual and physical bound
aries to ensure our human capital is
maximized for God’s glory.
Whatever you have been
meticulously considering, turn your
consideration into an action. Find a
church, organization or activity that
can utilize your human investment
establishing certainty for great return.
Each of us has the power and
authority to impact the life of another
thereby contouring our own lives.
Wanting, wishing and hoping have no
bearing on change, as faith without
works is dead. When you choose not
to labor, your choice shapes a lifeless
existence. Resuscitate the corpse:
Breathe altruism.
Where ailment is prevalent, apply
the balm you have been granted.
Deliberately foster a seifless regard for
and loyalty to the well-being of others.
Decide to bequeath your natural
resources upon the Kingdom of God.
Endeavor to endow because we either
share what we have or we lose it to
selfishness and idleness. With the
state of our world, it is spiritually
uneconomic for us to squander
resources - souls will be lost forever
because of our indiscretion.
Render your gifts and talents con
stantly, continuously and consistently.
The salvation and eternity of souls are at
stake. What will you render?
To contact Mercedes L. Miller for
speaking, training or writing call 336-
748-1955 or write to PO Box 25451,
Winston-Salem, NC 27114.
Is your churcli making
a differeflye in the
comrapyty?
Call
(336) 987-0728
O'Come All
Ye Faithful
Wishing peace, love
and happiness for you
and yours.
Missionary
Annie Lou
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mkum mm ttEeimnEH
Winston Salem, NC- The
Children's Museum at Old Salem is
pleased to offer a special holiday
class for children.
The Christmas Scherenschnitte
class teaches children how to cut a
nativity scene from paper. This
class, starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday
December 15, is
open to children ages 5-9 and their
parents. This class is free to Kater
Klub members and free to the
public with museum admission.
For more information and
required pre-registration, please
call the museum at (336) 779-6150.
The Children's Museum at Old
Salem uses the history of Salem
and the Moravians to educate and
entertain children ages 4 through 9.
The museum is located in the
Frank L. Horton Museum Center,
924 South Main Street, in Old
Salem.
tioyf)fiy e\?eNT§
OF Extraordinary Value
5th, 6th, 7th, 12th, 13th and 14th Dec.
Special Candlelight Tours
^WaodHpLiWIg
Caii 721-7352 for reservations and costs.
December 7th, fiom noon to 4 p.m.
MESDAYULETIDE
Call 721-7360 or 721-7300 - prices, descriptions.
14th December *10 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.
Visit from the Belsnickel
Inquire to 721-7352: reservations,
prices & such details.
One time per year only,
Ore Fabulous and DeUghtM
Salem Christmas
Call 721-7300 or 721-7350 for prices & mote.
riNO VeURSELP IN ANOTNCR TIMS ft PLACE
www.oldsalem.org / 721-7300