This

job definitely has its "perks." Reading all the church newsletters

and bulletins every week really keeps me in touch with the Fayette community.

Since I live in Newnan, I really don't have any way to keep up with

Fayette activities, except through our paper.

While all the newsletters are really good and newsy, one of the best is

that of Inman United Methodist Church. From the first time I read one,

I felt a kinship with Inman. I don't know if it is because of their

deep historical background and emphasis on genealogy (I have Dormans in

my family tree, but haven't been able to connect with the Inman Dormans

yet), or because it is a relatively small Methodist Church. Whatever the

case, I always enjoy reading Inman's newsletters. I've even

considered visiting one Sunday.

The following column came across my desk last week and really touched

me. It was written by Erica Gassaway, the music director at Inman, and

concerns a personal experience which I think we can all relate to. My

thanks to Erica for allowing me to share it with you. I know you will

enjoy it. The title alone is an attention grabber....

How I Found Jesus in a Spiral-Sliced Ham

"As most of you are aware, Mike's mother, Mary Gassaway, died

the middle of June. As is Inman's tradition, a dinner was provided

to our family the day of the funeral. The interesting thing that should

be noted is, by and large, my church family provided food to people they

have never met, have never seen, and probably never will meet, for no

one in Mike's family has attended our church since Mike and I married

in 1995. So, for the most part, several wonderful people from Inman United

Methodist Church gave of their time to feed a group of virtual strangers,

many of whom do not know Jesus Christ.

"Mike and I are grateful for this 'quiet' ministry of our

church. It is the kind of thing that sets Inman apart.

"What you, may not know is that one of our nieces-a young lady

who hasn't seen the inside of a church for God-knows how many years-was

so touched by the meal provided that she began attending a church in her

local community. She told me recently that she thought it was so special

that a group of strangers thought enough of Mike and me to make sure we

didn't have to cook on the day of the funeral. Something as simple

as a spiral-sliced ham and accompanying dishes of food made an impact

on her; she realized she didn't have the kind of connection she needed

in order to make an impact on her life. So, very tentatively, she attended

a church.

"God is wonderful, for that congregation reached out to her and she

is now attending regularly. Our niece has finally found the comfort that

only God can provide. It is unfortunate that it took the death of my mother-in-law

to show her how precious life is and what it means to belong to the family

of the One who really matters, but at the same time, much good came from

that experience.

"Why do I share this with you? Because each of us needs to be reminded

from time to time that what we do can make a life-changing impact on another

person-even when we are strangers to one another, we are not strangers

to Jesus Christ!"