Volunteers gather to give back to St. Joseph
by Marshall White Monday, October 12, 2009
by Marshall White Monday, October 12, 2009
Three years ago, a local church came to the conclusion that while it did a good job meeting members’ spiritual needs it wasn’t dealing with real world needs.
The church was neglecting many needs of people, said the Rev. Micah Fries, pastor at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church.
Talking with other church leaders encouraged the pastor and others to consider developing a service program that would be interdenominational. In each of St. Joe Serve’s three years, the number of churches participating has grown.
“We can’t fix everything, but this is a start,” the Rev. Fries said.
Three years later, the program has continuing city government support and more churches and is accomplishing something good for the entire community, the pastor said.
About 30 volunteers turned out to paint one house and strip another in preparation for painting Sunday afternoon.
“I’m here because it supports the community and serves people as Christ would,” said Kelly Schmidt, a Frederick Boulevard volunteer.
More than 50 volunteers from Hope Fellowship, Brookdale Presbyterian, Wyatt Park Baptist and other churches were at Saxton/Riverside Care Center on Sunday morning, said Rev. Earnestine Blakley, pastor at Hope Fellowship.
There was a musical performance, interactive games and time for spiritual fellowship, the pastor said.
About 30 volunteers from Hope, Brookdale, Wyatt Park and Wellspring Community churches paired up with 40 children at the Bartlett Center.
The children were entertained by Saved By Grace, a group of praise dancers, and then the volunteers assisted the children with improving their reading skills, the Rev. Blakley said.
Three Angels Seventh Day Adventist Church had a group of volunteers prepare 100 sack lunches stuffed with turkey sandwiches, fruit, chips, muffins, drinks and other surprises on Saturday.
Sunday, a group of five women from the church were at the Open Door Food Kitchen to give out the lunches, prizes for the children and articles of clothing and other materials that people might need.
“A lot of people work to keep it going,” said Donna Noland, one of the volunteers.
The church accepted the challenge to provide the Sunday lunches every other month and has been successful for some time, Mrs. Noland said.
Saturday, Frederick Boulevard gave away winter clothes for four hours to people in need. Some churches such as Frederick Boulevard will work for several weeks to complete their projects. The city selects the homes and provides some paint for the volunteer workers.
Marshall White can be reached
at marshall@npgco.com.
The church was neglecting many needs of people, said the Rev. Micah Fries, pastor at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church.
Talking with other church leaders encouraged the pastor and others to consider developing a service program that would be interdenominational. In each of St. Joe Serve’s three years, the number of churches participating has grown.
“We can’t fix everything, but this is a start,” the Rev. Fries said.
Three years later, the program has continuing city government support and more churches and is accomplishing something good for the entire community, the pastor said.
About 30 volunteers turned out to paint one house and strip another in preparation for painting Sunday afternoon.
“I’m here because it supports the community and serves people as Christ would,” said Kelly Schmidt, a Frederick Boulevard volunteer.
More than 50 volunteers from Hope Fellowship, Brookdale Presbyterian, Wyatt Park Baptist and other churches were at Saxton/Riverside Care Center on Sunday morning, said Rev. Earnestine Blakley, pastor at Hope Fellowship.
There was a musical performance, interactive games and time for spiritual fellowship, the pastor said.
About 30 volunteers from Hope, Brookdale, Wyatt Park and Wellspring Community churches paired up with 40 children at the Bartlett Center.
The children were entertained by Saved By Grace, a group of praise dancers, and then the volunteers assisted the children with improving their reading skills, the Rev. Blakley said.
Three Angels Seventh Day Adventist Church had a group of volunteers prepare 100 sack lunches stuffed with turkey sandwiches, fruit, chips, muffins, drinks and other surprises on Saturday.
Sunday, a group of five women from the church were at the Open Door Food Kitchen to give out the lunches, prizes for the children and articles of clothing and other materials that people might need.
“A lot of people work to keep it going,” said Donna Noland, one of the volunteers.
The church accepted the challenge to provide the Sunday lunches every other month and has been successful for some time, Mrs. Noland said.
Saturday, Frederick Boulevard gave away winter clothes for four hours to people in need. Some churches such as Frederick Boulevard will work for several weeks to complete their projects. The city selects the homes and provides some paint for the volunteer workers.
Marshall White can be reached
at marshall@npgco.com.
.
P.S. Bolds, Highlights, and Italics added.
P.S. Bolds, Highlights, and Italics added.
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