ST. JOHN'S CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH GIVES TO THE COMMUNITY

By Debbie McCain Wesley

St. John's Congregational Church continues to bless the local community through its spirit of giving. On February 16, 2005, the Seasoned Saints Ministry held a Sock Collection Drive to warm the homeless. This ministry, mostly comprised of senior citizens, is literally warming the "spirits and soles" of those in need.

The Seasoned Saints requested members of the Church to donate socks. Several pairs of socks in a variety of sizes were collected and distributed to the "Warming Place Homeless Shelter."

Another of the church's ministries, The Healthy Life and Women’s Ministries, in recognition of Black History Month and National Heart Month, strove to educate and enlighten the women of the church and the local community through its partnership with the American Heart Association. They joined forces on February 19, 2005, to SEARCH YOUR HEART, in a heart-health and stroke-prevention program designed to reach African-Americans in a church setting.

By raising awareness of heart disease and stroke, women can take action to eliminate certain risk factors from their lives so that they can live longer, stronger lives. “What comes from the heart, reaches the heart,” and the local Church is doing all it can to raise awareness of heart disease through this informative and interactive program. Members of the local Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. were on hand to greet participants, further raising awareness of this deadly threat to African-American women.

Lastly, The Healthy Life Ministry is offering a three-week “Quit Smoking” Program during the month of March. Participants will develop a greater understanding of nicotine dependence and obtain practical skills to utilize in an effort of staying nicotine/smoke-free. The program will be facilitated by Doris Harris, MPH, Master Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist and Hypnotherapist/ UMASS Division of Preventive and Behavioral Medicine.

She will lead discussions regarding health hazards associated with tobacco use, create support systems, as well as implement pharmacology and hypnotherapy practices.

The program will be held on Monday, March 7th, 14th and 21st at 7 pm in the Church’s Fellowship Hall. The cost of the program is a donation of personal care products for male residents of the Westfield Department of Youth Services. Registration is required for participation in this program. Please register by calling Alisa Madison in the church office at (413) 734-2283.

St. John’s Congregational Church is located at 643 Union Street, Springfield. Its worship services are Sundays at 7:30am, 9:30am and 11:30am. The Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley is the Senior Pastor. n