Doing Justice Matters.

I first heard that St. Andrew’s had a Justice Ministry in August of 2020. I am a bit embarrassed to admit I did not know there was any difference between ministries of mercy and ministries of justice. Before I arrived here at St. Andrew's, I had never participated in a Justice Ministry. I was so intrigued to hear about HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality). In case you are a bit lost about which ministry I am referring to, here is what the HOPE website says about the ministry of justice.

"Since 1988, HOPE has organized faith communities to build power to address root causes of poverty and injustice in Hillsborough County, FL. We are a non-partisan and nonprofit organization. HOPE is a coalition of nearly 30 member congregations representing thousands of Hillsborough County residents." Visit HOPE (Hillsborough Organization for Progress & Equality) to read more about HOPE's impact in the Tampa Bay Area.

So let me tell you about my first time participating in this ministry. One night a year, all the churches connected to HOPE (29 as of now) gather in a large church and invite Tampa politicians and elected officials to come hear our requests for justice. The goal is that these leaders see us as a voting population that has something to say about our community. This yearly event is called Nehemiah Action which is traditionally during the spring. This year it is on Monday, April 20, in the evening.

That first time Gary and I attended, we drove all the way over to Carollwood (FL) in heavy traffic. Not a great start. When we arrived, I did not think the church hosting the event was organized enough in their parking lot. I really did not have a good attitude, and I did not understand what I was about to participate in. Then the event began. I realized I was surrounded by hundreds of people who also drove a long way and were also not thrilled with the parking. Yet they understood that this evening was not about anyone’s comfort.

This event was about joining our voices so our Tampa politicians would hear from Tampa residents about problems, like a lack of affordable housing or a lack of help for people with mental health challenges.

That night I heard stories that broke my heart. Yet I also saw the hearts of hundreds of people who felt the same way about these injustices as I did. Crowded into a large sanctuary with people who cared about others just like I did gave me a deep sense of hope. I have not stopped attending since. I hope you will join us on Monday, April 20 for the next Nehemiah Action. The more people who attend, the greater our voice and the greater our hope for change in our city that needs justice for all. Chartered bus transportation is available for a small cost to the Nehemiah Action if you prefer not to drive. Click HERE for more information on transportation to the event.

If you would like to learn more about St. Andrew's Justice Ministry and their work with HOPE, visit our Justice Ministry webpage and our Justice Ministry Facebook page.

Jayne Rideout, Senior Pastor

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church

Brandon, Florida

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