A Communion Of Faith Communities

Several church and business leaders will be meeting soon to discuss ways of meeting increased needs of local charities - from data bases for needy to consolidating possible resources and distribution, and use of administration, staff and volunteerism to best coordinate supplies with demands in the strained economy.

Joe Heidler, for instance, is the new pastor of Brooksville Church of the Nazarene - soon to be called Turning Point Church of the Nazarene. He is joining the Brooksville Ministerial Association and has in mind a special local outreach of building a computer lab at the old church where people can earn their GEDs or have study help.

He believes that churches in the past have been too isolated in their community outreach, and added, "It's time to get out of our boxes and work together to fulfill God's calling. That's a major reason I joined the BMA; it and other similar groups are important in forming networks for combining cooperative help and resources."

Rev. Chet Okopski of Grace Presbyterian Church in Spring Hill said in his early years here, the small church pantry had one or two visitors weekly. Currently, however, there are five or six new needy people every day.

"In talking with other pastors and seeing the downward trends in our economy, we realize too much burden and stress on local church resources," he said. "It's not just the homeless or people on welfare now. It's you or your neighbors whose homes are nearing foreclosure, a father who gets laid off, a single mom who can't make ends meet. What can we do as church bodies and aid organizations to combine local efforts and resources?"

Grace World Outreach Ministry (the big dome church in Brooksville) had a clever in-house help idea. A large panel of cards were posted in a major hallway display cabinet showing needs in one part, offers of help in a second portion, and a third panel of after-the-help "matches" demonstrating goals met. For instance, a low income person might want dental help, a dentist might offer two free fillings, and a happy smile might appear two weeks later on the changing display. Since then, the church charity and outreach ministries have become broader.

Bob Keim, a retired Florida Department of Transportation cartographer and chaplain, is a fifth-generation Floridian. He serves on the national board of the recently formed Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth. His local church charity aid has included a huge teddy bear tree and toiletries for Christmas at Dawn Center, pantry donations to local churches and hurricane disaster relief, and concerts to benefit Gulf Coast Conservancy, Spring Hill Garden Club and scholarship funds for music student recipients selected by the Brooksville Music Club.

A sampling of some church and faith community local charity outreach demonstrates help already available, such as the Helping Hands clothing and food offering housed at First Baptist Church in Brooksville, on Howell Avenue. Its hours are 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, where recipients can select up to seven free outfits and food by proof of photo ID and Social Security numbers or cards for each of the up to seven recipients. Not just a one-church operation, several local churches send donations, money and volunteers to provide the help and distribution.

Recently, the local Muslim community tapped some generous physicians and staff to open a free clinic for some local health needs such as tooth extraction and minor injuries. (Call Brooksville/Crescent Clinic at 352-799-5500 for information.) Dr. Alden Eldin, a cardiologist and devout Muslim, said, "Muslims presently offer 27 free health clinics nation-wide, with more to come. I was personally touched by our leader of ISNA - Islam Society of North America - being the first person to offer a prayer in the National Cathedral the day following President Obama's Inauguration ... I watched it all on TV. Dr. Ingrid Matteson ISNA was wonderful and spoke eloquently for peace and harmony. Daily, everything I do is faith based and as a Muslim we keep charity utmost in our 24/7 faith, ongoing as a major personal commitment and duty of our faith."

Spring Lake United Methodist Church scheduled a Mystery Dinner to benefit a member needy family whose mounting expenses, bills and health problems amount to a catastrophe. They recently built a Habitat for Humanity house, and in March there will be a huge rummage sale and auction to benefit the organization, said the church pastor Todd Stube, VP of the BMA. Last year the church United Methodist Men's Ministry and volunteers raised money in a community barbeque fundraiser to present some $14,000 to the local Boyette Grove family after its owner was shot by robbers. The men also prepare a huge spaghetti dinner, including takeout orders- twice each year to raise money for local charity.

Rev. Dr. David Brockhoff of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church talked about the community efforts for the large food and clothing pantry at his church, with donations and volunteerism from several local churches and citizens. "Hours are 9 to 11:45 a.m. Tuesdays," the pastor said. "We send 'Goody Boxes' to troops overseas and host other groups meeting here.

A LifeLine screening unit will be here Thursday, Jan. 29, and we have unusual classes open to the public such as quilting and pine needle basketry, so we do try to Help."(Call 796-4066 for Lifelinescreening and church information)

Nativity Lutheran's free food pantry is open weekday mornings, and the church has an "A-Team of volunteers for small household repairs. We donated materials and built a Habitat for Humanity house. In the works are plans for a free community outreach meal, where we would have sign-ups for free music lessons, legal advice and so on," said Pastor Kristin Wee. "One gift from the parable of the Good Samaritan is that it saves us from having to spend a lot of time figuring out who our neighbor is - it is anyone who needs us. Today, there are many who need us and we want to do what we can to be of help."

Known worldwide for charity, Catholic Church outreach includes massive aid through Catholic Charities and St. Vincent DePaul Society thrift stores and a variety of help, education, missions and resources. Hundreds of free volunteer cooked-and delivered meals with all the trimmings fed so many Hernando County people on Thanksgiving Day and for other holy days. Daystar is another valued ministry.

And don't you love the shopping adventures and savings at the new huge Goodwill on Commercial Way?

Keep donating food money and goods to them and your favorite charities and faith community requests as you volunteer help....

Pastor Larry Brown of Jericho Road Ministries spoke of the numerous thrift shops and residencies for local help.

Spring Hill Bible Church keeps busy with its AWANA program on Tuesday evenings, serving some 200 children ages 4 and up, and school children ages K-6 grade. A new charity outreach includes adults and children visiting local rest homes to offer prayer and music.

Last Sunday the youth of its "Juveniles for Jesus" visited a youth detention residency and shared fellowship, praise band music and refreshments. The church youth also help church widows with light yard work and window washing.

Kudos!