Give Them Something to Eat

John Christy was a beloved minister who served United Methodist churches across Western North Carolina from 1953 until his death in 2005. On June 11, 2000, Bishop Charlene Kammerer appointed Reverend Christy to First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. I asked Barbara Iversen about him. Barbara told me that John Christy loved the people in our community so much, that his desire to help them bordered on desperation. Whenever a person came to the church asking for assistance, John would find a way to meet their need. At the time, FUMC had a benevolence fund they called The Good Samaritan Fund, named in honor of a Samaritan businessman in one of Jesus’ parables. This Samaritan man was on a business trip, and while traveling on a dangerous road, encountered a man who had been robbed and beaten nearly to death. His compassion overflowed into extravagant generosity. The Samaritan tended to the victim’s wounds, and emptied his pockets to arrange for his care. John Christy’s compassion motivated him to do the same. When the Good Samaritan Fund was depleted, he would empty his own wallet to help a family in need. After his death, the church renamed The Good Samaritan Fund, now the John Christy Fund, to honor his lasting legacy of compassion in our community.

I asked Alex Medford about him. “I was never able to meet him in person, but I’m able work with his legacy of helping people every day. Because of John Christy and the benevolence fund set up in his honor, FUMC Waynesville can financially help members of the community throughout the year. Two out of every five phone calls I receive on the church phone every day are from people who need financial help. EVERY DAY. That means for every three questions I can answer about church programming; there are two more that I can’t always help with. These phone calls are made by people who are down on their luck, between jobs, or running from a bad situation. They are calling out of desperation. They ask for help with rent, utility bills, food or gas money. People are struggling with so many things. Because of John Christy, I get to say “Yes, we can help you with that.” Alex told me that she was overwhelmed with calls for help last week. A reality that she attributes to the longest government shutdown in US history—a reality threatening those who live with food insecurity and depend on SNAP and other programs to put food on their tables.

I asked Dave Bryan how all of this was impacting our Friendship House ministries: “The Friendship House Food Pantry is facing the greatest challenge in its history. With the termination of several food programs in recent months and the SNAP (food stamp program) in jeopardy, local food banks including our own are grossly at risk for running low and eventually out of food. In October, we served over 5,106 individuals and 1,654 families. There is no end to this level of demand in the near future and will increase for the holidays and beyond. Every donation big or small will make a difference—we can not only save our neighbors from hunger, but also save them from the indignity that comes with it.” Dave said, “Jesus once gave a rather simple command to His disciples when they asked Him who was going to feed a large number of people gathered to hear Him speak. Jesus said, ‘You feed them.’”

Matthew records in his gospel that when Jesus saw a particular crowd, he had compassion for them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then Jesus asked his disciples to prayer: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest.” In the Greek, the word compassion literally means ‘to have the bowels yearn,’ which refers to that gut-wrenching feeling of empathy for someone’s suffering. The word’s origin is rooted in a literal ‘sharing of affliction.’ I know the disciples’ prayer has been repeated countless times through the ages, and I know the prayer continues to be answered. I am grateful for Dave, and Alex, and Barbara, and John. I am grateful for you, FUMC Waynesville. Your compassionate love is making a difference.

“Send them away so that they may go into the surrounding villages and buy something to eat.” But Jesus answered them, “You give them something to eat.” -Mark 7:36

Rev. Keith Turman