BEing the church is still what God calls us to do today. But what does that look like? One day each week we will hear stories from within our Cross Creek community, of people who are taking intentional steps to BE the church to their community. This week we will hear from Diane Schoenfelder, and what BEing the church looks like in her life. Diane serves with CareNet of Wayne County. CareNet offers support to anyone facing unexpected pregnancy, parenting kids at any age, and experiencing post abortion stress. Here are a few questions we asked and Diane’s answers:
Can you tell us what spoke to your heart about serving your greater community in this way? Was it the people you would be serving or maybe the cause itself?
Diane: Klemens and I lost a baby to miscarriage in our early years of marriage and two of my sisters and one of our nieces have lost babies just after birth or close to birth. Those experiences magnified how precious life is and that it is a gift not to be taken lightly.
For me, when it comes to serving at CareNet of Wayne County, my heart goes out to the women and their families who are in the throes of an unplanned pregnancy. There are so many emotions and decisions to be made. So, at CareNet all options are presented with compassion and empathy. The staff walk alongside offering counseling, resources, baby clothing and supplies, a caring ear, parenting classes, and God’s love. The people cannot be separated from the cause.
Has this experience changed you at all? How so?
Diane: CareNet of Wayne County has provided me with an opportunity to be the “hands and feet of Jesus”. It allowed me to use the gift of teaching as the staff and I created and offered a summer StoryTime for three and four year olds. The kids loved the stories, games and crafts centered around the theme God Made the World and God Made Me.
Are there any verses that come to mind when you think about serving in general or serving in this way?
“For you created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”
Diane: God’s hand is upon each life at the moment of conception and He calls us to care, protect and honor life from that point on.
Any other things about your serving experience you would like others to know about serving?
Diane: There are many other ways to serve at CareNet – from packaging diapers, sorting clothing, preparing mailings, making donations, praying for the ministry, representing CareNet at community events and so much more.
