The blessings continue. Since 1823 there has been a continuing community of faithful Presbyterians worshiping in the present location of West Emory Church. After the original church building burnt down, it was replaced by the little red brick church on the hill near our present facility. For generations this little church was a beacon of worship and witness to our neighborhood and beyond.
After the West Emory congregation moved into its current church building in 1983, the little church on the hill slowly slipped into disuse and disrepair. Plagued by water damage to the basement rooms and deterioration of the heating and cooling systems, the little church became a convenient storage space for rummage sale items, seasonal church equipment and playground toys. Families of field mice, web-spinning spiders and occasional lizards all found these accommodations to their liking.
For years the Session pondered what to do with the proud little brick church on the hill but no good solution was forthcoming…until now. What had sadly become “just” a storage building, now has a new life and a new future. Through the providence of God we are embarking on a new and exciting ministry and the key component will be our little brick church building. What was once a beacon of worship will now become a beacon of service and outreach bearing witness to Jesus’ call to discipleship: “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me….Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:35,40).
What was once “just” a storage building is now going to become a vital link and the main site for the collection, sorting, storage and distribution of household items and furniture through our partnership with BRIDGE, a ministry providing hope and a new beginning for refugees fleeing their homelands. (See related article) This is truly an exciting opportunity for our church family as we take the hands-on lead in this very important outreach ministry. Working along side other volunteers, including students from Johnson Bible College, we will soon be adding shelving, clothing racks and sorting tables so that donations can be organized and stored until needed. Refugee families are being resettled in our area on a regular basis so the donated furniture and household goods will be rotating in and out of our facility quickly. With the goal of providing whatever is needed for refugee families to set up a household, this ministry will be ongoing and far-reaching.
There are so many aspects of the ministry in which we at West Emory can be involved: collecting and donating furniture, household items and clothing, sorting and organizing these items, sharing the mission and needs of this ministry with others and praying for the well-being of our new residents. God has blessed us with the compassionate caring and dedication of our members Kim Spoon and Steve Abbott who have been involved in BRIDGE for a while and are now helping us as a congregation begin the journey with them. God has truly blessed each and everyone of us. God is calling us to be a blessing to others. What an exhilarating and rewarding time this is in the life of our wonderful congregation.
Peace and Blessings,
Miki
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