Open Hands

05/05/2024

Sacred Pathway: Devotions and reflections by a father and son

Sacred Pathway: Devotions and reflections by a father and son

11/10/2023

Almost 25 years ago I lost a wonderful brother who served in Viet Nam. Veterans Day reminds me of how much of an impact he made on my life and how grateful I am for who he was as a person. He is not forgotten.

06/27/2023

Hello again, participants, supporters, partners, and friends of Open Hands Ministries,

We recently held a day-long prayer and planning session with members of the Open Hands Ministries team and board. During this gathering, we discussed our current financial situation and emerged with a renewed conviction that Open Hands provides unparalleled spiritual care support to church leaders in our region. Our unique "come alongside" approach encompasses three primary methods: 1) one-on-one coaching for spiritual and soul care, 2) spiritual formation training through retreats and teaching opportunities, and 3) consulting with churches to establish strategies and cultures that deepen spiritual formation.

We have exciting news to share with you! We have successfully reached our initial goal of $5,000 in donations and pledges, addressing our most immediate financial concern. While these recent contributions have been helpful, we still need to raise an additional $15,000. Therefore, we have set July 21 as the deadline for our fundraising campaign, with a total amount to be raised of $20,000. We recognize that this is an ambitious target, but with your support, we believe it is attainable. As of now, we are already 25% of the way there, with four weeks remaining. We are deeply grateful to God and to all of you who have generously contributed.

Eldon has been an invaluable force in providing various forms of spiritual care support to church leaders in our region. Eldon has played a crucial role in promoting the spiritual and emotional well-being of hundreds of pastors/leaders. Open Hands Ministries is committed to continuing our support the spiritual formation efforts for church and ministry leaders even those who face financial hardships. However, funding is essential to sustain the ministry of Open Hands.

We extend our sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for your ongoing commitment and investment in this ministry that has, by God's grace, made a profound difference in the lives of many. Your support is immensely appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Denis Keith, Executive Director (Volunteer)
Carren Bream, Administrative Coordinator & Board Member
Ray Chung, Board Member
Jim Spurrier, Board Member
Eldon Fry, Founder and President

06/02/2023

Dear Friend of Open Hands Ministries,

Over the past 10+ years, Eldon Fry, our founder and President has provided countless pastors, church and business leaders, health care providers, educators, and others with a ministry of caring, listening, and counsel under the banner of spiritual direction. Many, if not most of you, have benefited from his presence. He has often brought encouragement and support to individuals and churches from his years of experience and prayerful reflections through retreats, writings, and hundreds of hours of one-to-one coffees, breakfasts, lunches, and everything in between. Lives have been renewed through his insights but, even more, his come alongside presence.

We are constantly amazed at how often the mention of Eldon's name brings an instant smile of recognition and enthusiastic acknowledgment of something he has said or done on their behalf or that of a friend or loved one. His ministry has made a difference and many times that difference was made in the lives of those who could not afford to pay.

That being said, despite rigorous financial stewardship and recent cost-cutting measures our funds are nearly depleted. This situation has created hardships for Eldon and the organization. This condition impacts our ability to sustain the ministry and jeopardizes our ability to support and nurture those we serve and want to serve.

This ministry reflecting Eldon's life and values needs your financial help.

On behalf of the Board, we ask you to give a one-time gift or become an ongoing financial partner. We have an immediate need of $5,000, with an additional $15,000 to sustain our services in the coming months.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and investment.
Denis Keith, ThM, Volunteer Executive Director Caren Bream, Administrator & Board Member Ray Chung, Board Member Jim Spurrier, Board Member

How to Give:
Tax Deductible checks payable to Open Hands Ministries and sent to 25 White Oak Drive, Carlisle, PA 17015
OR …….

07/16/2021

40% of pastors report serious conflict with a parishioner monthly. Open Hands has tools to help teams, staff and volunteers to work together.

07/07/2021

Pastors need Open Hands because 50% of pastors considered leaving the ministry in the last month. Open Hands gives support to pastors and ministry leaders so they do not leave the ministry. We offer help so they can continue to impact the lives of people.

07/02/2021

Email us at [email protected] to get Eldon's new Book - 'Spiritual Formation'!

Transitions! The very word creates heightened concern about looming change. Last week I discussed transitions in our lives with four colleagues. All of us are experiencing them. Some welcomed, others not so much. Last night I interacted with a young pastor who is leading a congregation in transition. This morning I “zoomed” with a leader who is transitioning from his long-time role of leadership in his denomination. Later today, my wife and I will explore transitioning into a retirement community. The common theme in today’s world seems to be transitions. Transitions can create angst, resistance, chaos and concern. But, in reality trying to predict the “next steps” is a frustrating experience when there are so many variables whirling around us.

In my chapter “Next Step,” I notice the difference between next steps and the next step. I wrote in Spiritual Formation: Attention Along the Way, “Planning my next steps tends to involve looking out into the future and making assumptions about what I might do in that space, while the next step is close at hand and is simply focused on the immediate”. That is not to say we should not plan. But planning can consume my life so I do not enjoy the present. Later, I write, “By taking the next necessary step, I am more likely to be attentive to what is around me. When I am more aware of the present, I increase the possibility of experiencing an awareness of God’s presence.”

The potential of planning for a post pandemic world creates space for us to consider next steps in our leadership. But do not overlook the “next step” for if we are attentive, we will learn important lessons about God with us on our journey and potentially enjoy our present day.

Grace & Peace,
Eldon Fry

02/15/2021

Cream Rises

After the daily ritual of milking our cow during my childhood in the mountains of Idaho, I was always mesmerized by the fact that the cream would slowly rise to the top of the whole milk. After a couple of days of hearing some tragic stories and challenging situations, I reflected on that childhood memory and realized that it parallels the adversity pastors and other leaders face during this confusing and chaotic time. I remembered that given time, the cream rises to the top of life.

The impact on pastors and leaders by this season cannot be overstated. But, in prayerful conversations, I realize that some pastors and leaders are discerning their times and responding like cream rising to the top. “The top” is not measured in the ways pre-pandemic but I hear stories of God at work, lessons learned, new strength for the day and deeply formed lives. Rich Villodas in The Deeply Formed Life talks about transformative values that sustain and help us flourish in unsettling times. Adversity seems to invite many to deepen their spiritual lives allowing them to rise to new levels beyond the superficiality of our culture.

Our congregation is reading a letter credited to the apostle Paul. I began to realize that many of these churches Paul addressed were in the midst of adversity and changing times. Yet somehow they influenced a diverse population and a world antagonistic toward Christ followers. The cream rose to the top and impacted the world and even reached to my world in the mountains of Idaho. I pray for you as Paul prayed in Philippians 1:6 “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ.” As my friend Conrad says there is a “Kingdom Restored” like cream rising.