Surprise Visit Spawns New Outreach Ministry

Such was the case for Covenant Congregational Church 18 months ago. Residents of a local homeless shelter dropped in on a Sunday morning looking for coffee and something to eat. The church obliged - and has done so ever since.

Parishioner Victor Paul has been a key asset in coordinating the church's new ministry, called Covenant Cares Citchen, said pastor Judy McCullough. Many others also have stepped up to help whenever needed. Without question, the congregation has made its mark in the community.

"This church has talked about ways to grow and attract new people and we all have in our minds who these people will be (to target)," said McCullough in explaining how the church got involved. "But God began guiding the men across the street and this whole ministry has evolved in spite of us. And our people have risen to meet the need that these people have brought and some are coming to our Bible classes.

"God has plans we don't know about and if we get out of the way we can do God's work," McCullough added.

Covenant Congregation often hosts Wednesday night BBQ meals during the summer and some locals often stop by to be fed. Those meals have served as an entry point - when people started coming to the church on Sunday mornings, the congregation considered how to expand the coffee and rolls breakfasts they were providing.

"We always have lots of food and are glad to share with everyone," stated Paul in a recent email. "As fall and winter came, our little Sunday morning group continued to grew. We were faced with a challenge: Could or would we respond to the need? The answer was a loud 'Yes!'"

The church now serves eggs, meat, coffee, juice, sweet rolls and offers water and "pocket food" to some of the homeless to take with them for later in the day - granola bars, peanut butter crackers and the like. Paul reported that the church averages 20 or more from the homeless shelter each week.

"We have become a family now," Paul said. "Sunday mornings mean breakfast with friends and family, conversation, comfort and acceptance for us all. Some of the regulars stay for the worship service and attend the Sunday adult Bible study class. There were special remembrances on Christmas and Valentine's Day. Our church has become a place where our neighbors can come and sit for a while, enjoy a good meal and worship God."

Covenant Congregational Church has an average worship attendance of between 120-140, but its impact on the community has been even broader. McCullough says the church building is open every day and that the facility is used extensively. And with people like Paul (a relatively new Christian and a member of the Diaconate board) in her congregation, McCullough envisions that the church will find other ways to minister to its neighbors.

"He's like this kid with a new toy," said McCullough of Paul's newfound Christian faith. "He's excited about his faith and he's got a heart as big as he is."

For more about the church, Covenant Cares Citchen and other ministries, call McCullough at 617-524-0775.

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