Sunday School starts this week and so I wasn't really surprised to see one of our sixth graders come into church on a Saturday followed by her mother, who will be teaching this year.  I imagined that they were there to get ready for Sunday.  But I was wrong.

The young girl was there to ask if she could organize fund-raisers for Katrina victims.  She wanted to have a bake sale and a car wash and she was full of excitement and ideas.

It was clear that the impetus came from her.  While her mother was proud and supportive, she was not pushing.

The best of what I see in this country today looks like this young girl.  It is an attitude of  "What can I do to help?"

The girl said she had been watching the news about the storm and also looking for where to go to help.  But she came here to church so that we could make a difference together.

In the midst of all of this we might want to forego asking for giving to support our churches, but in good times and in bad we need also to support our churches so that they will be there for such times as these.  Not only have they become a refuge for many of those affected by the storm, but they become a gathering place for people who want to help.

And so we will take our usual offering on Sunday to insure that we will be here for God's people and we will ask people to follow this young one and support her call to help and to give.

Whether you bake or wash cars or simply write a check, everyone can be a part of the effort.

Lord,  Be with all who suffer this day and guide us as we seek to help.  Amen