Churches serve common goal

By Jane Beathard

Jane Beathard - Staff

More than 200 London-area residents gather in Cowling Park on Sunday for the city’s first annual “Be The Church” event.

More than 200 local residents, representing nine London-area churches, participated in the city’s first annual Be The Church event Sunday, Sept. 4.

Volunteers weeded flower beds, picked up trash, painted and performed other home maintenance chores for elderly local residents and others around town who are unable to perform the work themselves.

“Don’t just go to church. BE the church,” was the day’s theme.

Planning for the event began about six months ago with six local pastors leading the effort, according to Barb Rife, a member of Restoration Worship Center.

She noted 192 participants registered in advance.

Be The Church began with a 9 a.m. non-denominational worship service at Cowling Park. Volunteers then separated into 20 work groups and fanned out across London to complete their assigned projects.

Following a noon lunch at Cowling Park, participants were encouraged to join a “prayer walk” to London High School to demonstrate support for London City Schools.

“We welcome this opportunity to work together with our brothers and sisters from various congregations to serve our community by showing Christ’s love in practical ways,” a program said.

Volunteers represented Crossroads Community Church, Faith Assembly Worship Center, Lafayette United Methodist Church, London Christian Fellowship, London Church of The Nazarene, Madison County Vineyard, Restoration Worship Center, St. Paul AME Church and Trinity Episcopal Church.

Local residents interested in participating next year’s Be The Church event should contact Rev. Gary Noble at (740) 852-1342 or via e-mail at garynoble@aol.com