"Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. "
1 Timothy 5:3-7
Ministry to widows receives special attention in the Scriptures. It is the high calling of the Christian to witness and minister to widows, encouraging them to remain dependent on the Lord, serving them, and exalting them as if she were our own mother. The widows the Sharon pastors minister to have also been determined to be "unclean" by the Hindus and therefore are ignored and shut out by society. It is rare for the widow to have employment as well. By contributing to widow support, you stand beside our pastors, encouraging the widows to "put hope in God and continue all night and day to pray and to ask God for help".
