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Monday, July 26, 2010

Sabbath Parties with Kids and Moms at Local Battered Women's Shelter


Canton Adventist Church's Photos - CFVC Birthday Parties


7/8/10

CANTON, GA—From its inception, the Canton, Ga., Seventh-day Adventist Church has had the desire to be actively engaged in serving and building relationships with people in its community. In January 2010, it began its newest initiative: throwing birthday parties each month for the children and their families who live at the Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC), an emergency shelter and housing center for victims of domestic violence. Located less than one mile from the Canton church, the CFVC runs the largest transitional housing facility of its kind in the United States.

On one Sabbath each month, the families of the Canton Church put together a great birthday party with all the trimmings to serve 7-10 children along with their moms and siblings. Together they play games, sing to the birthday kids, share cake and pass out presents and party favors. Most of the families at the Canton Church pitch in by making the food, organizing the games, buying the gifts and building relationships with the moms and kids.

Over Easter weekend, the Canton Church joined hands with The Quest, a community church the Canton church rents its facility to on Sundays, in throwing an Easter egg hunt for the entire complex, over 100 kids and their families. The church members spent over an hour hiding 1,500 eggs and the kids found them all in under ten minutes!

Brinne Pruett, CFVC ministry leader at the Canton Church says, “Seeing the kids' faces light up at these events is such a wonderful feeling. The moms are always so appreciative of our efforts. Hopefully these kids will remember these events for a long time, and know that they always have a friend in Canton Adventist."

Natalie Durham, co-leader, shares, “My experience with CFVC has been one of many blessings. I have enjoyed meeting these strong and courageous women who just love and adore their children. It's been such an honor to throw these birthday parties and watch how excited these children become. I've enjoyed playing musical chairs with the kids and seeing their childlike spirit come alive again. This ministry is important to me and I can only imagine how much those kids look forward to us coming.”

By Todd Leonard

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