Part of my context for ministry in Augusta includes a very high level of urban poverty. See the story which ranks us so high nationally. We've got over 26,000 people in neighborhoods with poverty rates of 40% or higher. "Local resources," mentioned in the story, are being pushed to the limit. What are the best, innovative, transformational approaches to reducing these sorts of poverty trends and the issues related to such high poverty pockets? Employment, housing, food, education, and violence are daily challenges in these neighborhoods. Imagine if half your neighborhood lived below the poverty level and you can see there are no easy answers.
Here's an addendum including the larger national story and the top 10 list:
Increase of Poverty.
Showing posts with label Augusta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Augusta. Show all posts
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Blessed to be a Blessing
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-7
Trinity’s Augusta Roofing Ministry, Part 1
In early 2010 we learned about a house in Harrisburg in desperate need of repair. The homeowner is disabled, on polio-style crutches, and with rain buckets in the attic and in the rooms to deal with all the holes in his roof. He was in a hopeless situation of living in the old, family owned home, yet living only on disability with no means or ability to repair the roof. Mark, the homeowner, was outside with us through the whole renovation, always eager to do what he could. These were the early, hot days of summer in May and June of 2010. Mark is talking about having enough food and drinks for the May work teams. I’m trying to tell him we don’t want to be an imposition and be self sufficient (so we don’t take away from his limited funds) yet we’d be glad to receive his hospitality. I’m trying to navigate that line where we are partners in the work, he has his dignity, and we all are stronger in our love of God and each other after the project. I could tell Mark was getting a little exasperated with me as he wanted to do something to show his appreciation and finally he says “Look, you are saving my life!”
We had an amazing coalition of people working this huge project (Eric Long might tell you it was one of the toughest roofing jobs the church has tackled). First Assembly of God, Army Reserves at Ft. Gordon, college students, teenagers, and some of our usual great roofers from the church made this life changing project a masterpiece. After the project was completed I sent an e-mail to some of the leaders:
“Hi mission friends. Thank you again for the tremendous ministry and the partnership through May & early June as you worked so diligently on Mark's roof. The spirit and perseverance, in spite of a tough job and the early summer heat, is another inspiring example of faith in action as we bear witness to the love of Christ. I tagged a few of you leaders and hope you'll pass it on to others who worked this particular project, or who would be motivated by a reminder of the story that continues to grow.
Of course, the way this works is that one act of inspiring faith leads others to action.Today, Mark stopped by the church office. He'd been able to crank up that old blue church van sitting in the road, and though he had to leave it running in our parking lot (for fear it wouldn't crank back up), he came into the office for a few minutes to again say thank you and to give us something.
He once again expressed profound, almost teary eyed gratitude for the new roof. Mark said that with the recent rains he again gave thanks to God, and to all of you workers, that he was dry and wasn't forced to worry with rain buckets in the attic and in the rooms. He wasn't forced to worry and scramble, but could spend the time in prayer and thanksgiving.
I could see he was also holding an envelope. Mark went on to say that he hadn't been involved with church in awhile and wanted to catch up on his tithe. He had committed to giving finances as he could to both Trinity and to First Assembly.
At this point I was trying not to cry.
Mark lives on disability and lives in a home that his family has bought for him.
You've seen his house. You know how meagerly he lives. You know how he makes do with what he has, how resourceful he is. And here he was going to give us a tithe.
I thought of the power of God in our lives. I was reminded of what I'd told Mark so many times through this process, "We are merely trying to be a blessing so that you can be a blessing to others." I thought of the power of faith. I recalled the story of the Widow's Mite.
Mark handed me an envelope. It was marked with his name, "tithe," and $80!
In addition to tithing to the churches so that ministry to others will continue Mark still wants to offer the workers from the two churches a celebration type luncheon.
And now I'm more motivated for us to do some of the follow-up that a few of us have already discussed regarding a wheelchair ramp, interior renovation, etc.
Blessings as you continue to serve the Risen Christ in our community,”
Rev. Scott Parrish
Prayer Request
Pray for all we serve in mission and ministry that we would have the correct humble attitude of a servant of Christ, that we would seek to share the abundant love of God by our words and actions, and that we would be moved to greater acts of faith as we are blessed to be a blessing.
Trinity’s Augusta Roofing Ministry, Part 1
In early 2010 we learned about a house in Harrisburg in desperate need of repair. The homeowner is disabled, on polio-style crutches, and with rain buckets in the attic and in the rooms to deal with all the holes in his roof. He was in a hopeless situation of living in the old, family owned home, yet living only on disability with no means or ability to repair the roof. Mark, the homeowner, was outside with us through the whole renovation, always eager to do what he could. These were the early, hot days of summer in May and June of 2010. Mark is talking about having enough food and drinks for the May work teams. I’m trying to tell him we don’t want to be an imposition and be self sufficient (so we don’t take away from his limited funds) yet we’d be glad to receive his hospitality. I’m trying to navigate that line where we are partners in the work, he has his dignity, and we all are stronger in our love of God and each other after the project. I could tell Mark was getting a little exasperated with me as he wanted to do something to show his appreciation and finally he says “Look, you are saving my life!”
We had an amazing coalition of people working this huge project (Eric Long might tell you it was one of the toughest roofing jobs the church has tackled). First Assembly of God, Army Reserves at Ft. Gordon, college students, teenagers, and some of our usual great roofers from the church made this life changing project a masterpiece. After the project was completed I sent an e-mail to some of the leaders:
“Hi mission friends. Thank you again for the tremendous ministry and the partnership through May & early June as you worked so diligently on Mark's roof. The spirit and perseverance, in spite of a tough job and the early summer heat, is another inspiring example of faith in action as we bear witness to the love of Christ. I tagged a few of you leaders and hope you'll pass it on to others who worked this particular project, or who would be motivated by a reminder of the story that continues to grow.
Of course, the way this works is that one act of inspiring faith leads others to action.Today, Mark stopped by the church office. He'd been able to crank up that old blue church van sitting in the road, and though he had to leave it running in our parking lot (for fear it wouldn't crank back up), he came into the office for a few minutes to again say thank you and to give us something.
He once again expressed profound, almost teary eyed gratitude for the new roof. Mark said that with the recent rains he again gave thanks to God, and to all of you workers, that he was dry and wasn't forced to worry with rain buckets in the attic and in the rooms. He wasn't forced to worry and scramble, but could spend the time in prayer and thanksgiving.
I could see he was also holding an envelope. Mark went on to say that he hadn't been involved with church in awhile and wanted to catch up on his tithe. He had committed to giving finances as he could to both Trinity and to First Assembly.
At this point I was trying not to cry.
Mark lives on disability and lives in a home that his family has bought for him.
You've seen his house. You know how meagerly he lives. You know how he makes do with what he has, how resourceful he is. And here he was going to give us a tithe.
I thought of the power of God in our lives. I was reminded of what I'd told Mark so many times through this process, "We are merely trying to be a blessing so that you can be a blessing to others." I thought of the power of faith. I recalled the story of the Widow's Mite.
Mark handed me an envelope. It was marked with his name, "tithe," and $80!
In addition to tithing to the churches so that ministry to others will continue Mark still wants to offer the workers from the two churches a celebration type luncheon.
And now I'm more motivated for us to do some of the follow-up that a few of us have already discussed regarding a wheelchair ramp, interior renovation, etc.
Blessings as you continue to serve the Risen Christ in our community,”
Rev. Scott Parrish
Prayer Request
Pray for all we serve in mission and ministry that we would have the correct humble attitude of a servant of Christ, that we would seek to share the abundant love of God by our words and actions, and that we would be moved to greater acts of faith as we are blessed to be a blessing.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Upcoming Mission Happenings
Trinity Outreach Dates of Note:
Augusta Canal Clean Up Day & Picnic
Join a large clean up being planned for the Augusta
Canal on Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 9 AM - 12 PM. Dumpsters will be stationed in the area for all trash that is found. Following
the clean up there will be a picnic for all participants, 12 - 1 at Lake Olmstead sponsored by Augusta Parks and Recreation. We will also have 8 soldiers from Ft. Gordon assisting in this clean up. Contact Scott Parrish or Kim Fender to reserve your place as we clean up the Trinity on the Hill section of the canal from the Bulkhead Gate to Broad Street (& perhaps more).
Sat Nov 6- Fuller Center House Block Party
Join some of the FROGS and receive their good assistance for a workday with ASU Wesley Foundation from 8 AM-12 Noon. We’ll know the exact project closer to the date but it will probably involve insulation and sheathing outside walls or demolition of exterior siding. Contact Scott Parrish or Mike Gardner to secure your place in the work.
Pray for the Jamaica Medical Mission team sharing the love of Christ in word and deed November 6-13.
Augusta Urban Ministries Angel Tree/White Christmas
Angel Tree & White Christmas tags will be available in November. Your gifts and funds are due @ the church December 5 between 8AM-12 Noon as our great friends Bill & Lois Monro will have their trucks to receive your items. We’ll deliver to AUM @ 12:30 that day. AUM distributes the food baskets and toys on Saturday, December 11
Help Serve at the Master’s Table Monday, November 29. Contact Lucy Weigle or Scott Parrish for more information.
Volunteer as Trinity on the Hill hosts Interfaith Hospitality Network of Augusta December 26- January 2. Contact Janet Billingsley or Scott Parrish as we share the love of Christmas and will need our usual number of helpers as we care for homeless families and their children.
Trinity Outreach Celebration
Wednesday, February 2- Celebrate Mission in Worship
Saturday, February 5- Day of Service
Sunday, February 6- Hear a Mission Challenge in Worship
Augusta Canal Clean Up Day & Picnic
Join a large clean up being planned for the Augusta
Canal on Saturday, October 23, 2010 from 9 AM - 12 PM. Dumpsters will be stationed in the area for all trash that is found. Following
the clean up there will be a picnic for all participants, 12 - 1 at Lake Olmstead sponsored by Augusta Parks and Recreation. We will also have 8 soldiers from Ft. Gordon assisting in this clean up. Contact Scott Parrish or Kim Fender to reserve your place as we clean up the Trinity on the Hill section of the canal from the Bulkhead Gate to Broad Street (& perhaps more).
Sat Nov 6- Fuller Center House Block Party
Join some of the FROGS and receive their good assistance for a workday with ASU Wesley Foundation from 8 AM-12 Noon. We’ll know the exact project closer to the date but it will probably involve insulation and sheathing outside walls or demolition of exterior siding. Contact Scott Parrish or Mike Gardner to secure your place in the work.
Pray for the Jamaica Medical Mission team sharing the love of Christ in word and deed November 6-13.
Augusta Urban Ministries Angel Tree/White Christmas
Angel Tree & White Christmas tags will be available in November. Your gifts and funds are due @ the church December 5 between 8AM-12 Noon as our great friends Bill & Lois Monro will have their trucks to receive your items. We’ll deliver to AUM @ 12:30 that day. AUM distributes the food baskets and toys on Saturday, December 11
Help Serve at the Master’s Table Monday, November 29. Contact Lucy Weigle or Scott Parrish for more information.
Volunteer as Trinity on the Hill hosts Interfaith Hospitality Network of Augusta December 26- January 2. Contact Janet Billingsley or Scott Parrish as we share the love of Christmas and will need our usual number of helpers as we care for homeless families and their children.
Trinity Outreach Celebration
Wednesday, February 2- Celebrate Mission in Worship
Saturday, February 5- Day of Service
Sunday, February 6- Hear a Mission Challenge in Worship
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Augusta GA + early April =
The Masters!
Augusta is looking great, spring is finally here, and the world will soon join us as the town fills up with golf excitement. Of course, for local folk it means Spring Break, avoiding certain roads during some hours, and lots of extra people in town. I'll post a picture or story if I see or hear anything of interest that doesn't make the "official" news.
Augusta is looking great, spring is finally here, and the world will soon join us as the town fills up with golf excitement. Of course, for local folk it means Spring Break, avoiding certain roads during some hours, and lots of extra people in town. I'll post a picture or story if I see or hear anything of interest that doesn't make the "official" news.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Mission Camp Week in Augusta
An incredible team from Fayetteville TN FUMC has been in town since Saturday. I'll post some pictures later. Right now I mostly need a shower and need to go to sleep! Re. our great friends from TN they've been working 3 construction sites including re-roofing one house, framing walls in the 2nd floor of Heritage Academy, and cleaning and painting an Interfaith Hospitality Network of Augusta transitional home, plus some of the group has been working at Trinity on the Hill's VBS and 2 basketball camps.
From today's activities let me say I AM AMAZED by:
* 1 guy who worked all night at Savannah River Site and roofed all day,
* 1 guy who roofed & then led two 3 hour basketball clinics AND led an evening presentation for the group,
* 1 group of work horses that worked a 12 hour day to truss and deck a house,
* a host of volunteers of all ages who give their time to help others,
* and the spirit of the Fayetteville TN FUMC bunch who are game for serving Christ in Augusta.
And today was just Day 2 of our week long mission!
From today's activities let me say I AM AMAZED by:
* 1 guy who worked all night at Savannah River Site and roofed all day,
* 1 guy who roofed & then led two 3 hour basketball clinics AND led an evening presentation for the group,
* 1 group of work horses that worked a 12 hour day to truss and deck a house,
* a host of volunteers of all ages who give their time to help others,
* and the spirit of the Fayetteville TN FUMC bunch who are game for serving Christ in Augusta.
And today was just Day 2 of our week long mission!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Bon Air Quilters
A week ago I spent some time Saturday morning with the Bon Air breakfast ministry team. They are a faithful group who provide breakfast every Saturday morning for 75-100 people who live in the Bon Air Apartments in Augusta. The Bon Air is located on Walton Way, at the big curve as you ascend the hill from downtow, just across from the Partridge Inn. The Bon Air Hotel opened in 1889, and at some point was also known as The Vanderbilt.
Postcard image, circa 1900, showing the unique Victorian Gothic architecture of the Bon Air Hotel in Summerville, Georgia. Originally built with 105 rooms in 1889, the Bon Air Hotel was the first of three resort-style hotels to be built in Summerville around the turn of the century. The Bon Air Hotel featured an electric Otis elevator, electric lighting, steam heat, lavish dining rooms, parlors, billiard rooms, and reading rooms; it also provided guests with amenities such as golfing and horseback riding. Due to the hotel's tremendous popularity, an additional 145 rooms were added in the early 1900s. The Bon Air Hotel was destroyed in a fire on February 3, 1921.
Postcard image, circa 1900, showing the unique Victorian Gothic architecture of the Bon Air Hotel in Summerville, Georgia. Originally built with 105 rooms in 1889, the Bon Air Hotel was the first of three resort-style hotels to be built in Summerville around the turn of the century. The Bon Air Hotel featured an electric Otis elevator, electric lighting, steam heat, lavish dining rooms, parlors, billiard rooms, and reading rooms; it also provided guests with amenities such as golfing and horseback riding. Due to the hotel's tremendous popularity, an additional 145 rooms were added in the early 1900s. The Bon Air Hotel was destroyed in a fire on February 3, 1921.
The hotel was quickly rebuilt by 1923, and continued to draw many travelers. This was in the day when Augusta was a destination town on the railroad. Summerville, the "Hill" area, was The Bon Air was rebuilt and functioned for many years as a hotel until 1964 when it became a retirement home.
Years pass, the inner city overtakes the vacation destinations of years gone by. The Bon Air is now a residence for the elderly, special needs adults, and individuals and families on the edge of being able to have housing. So, our faithful team serves breakfast every Saturday morning promptly at 9:30 AM.
Last week I met a young woman who was quilting. I was very curious what she was doing. It turns out she and a few other residents of the Bon Air meet once a month, and continue their work throughout each month, making quilts for a nursing home and for children at the nearby Medical College of Georgia.
That turns everything around doesn't it? Those I would call needy doing what they can to care for others.
I'm collecting fabric pieces, thread, and needles for these women to encourage their good work. I'm also hopeful a few of our quilters from the church might join the effort as this ministry within a ministry develops in a place the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts once enjoyed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)