Residing Hope I grew up in Sanford, the southern side of Lake Monroe. When I started getting involved in First United Methodist of Sanford, I learned of the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home on the other side in Enterprise, and soon became involved in sporadic service projects there. Between those interactions and the focus we as a church put on the ministry happening there, I came to appreciate not just the differences in opportunities available to students, but the incredible ministry happening there. Around the same time that I became a pastor, the Madison Youth Ranch was launching in Pinetta. Serving in the North West District for several of our shared first years, I was grateful for the chance to see and serve there. I’m no expert on their work, but it doesn’t take seeing much of what they do to know how important it is to come alongside vulnerable children, youth, and families, and to witness how life-changing their ministry has been to many. And it doesn’t take much to appreciate that this ministry, for over a hundred years, has been dedicated to doing just that consistently, in new ways, and always faithfully. As a celebration of their development, the name of this expanding ministry was changed to Residing Hope. We’ll have the opportunity in worship to share a bit more later this month, but this week I wanted to offer you the opportunity to learn a bit more about them. Bishop Tom Berlin has offered the included video, and I would invite you to read more about them on their website, residinghope.org. Rev. Ben Richards | 
