Published: September 16, 2008 01:43 pm            

Central City church finds niche serving community

By TOM LAVIS

TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM

Members of Central City United Methodist Church think of themselves as the tiny church with a big heart.

The Rev. Randy C. Newell, who leads the Central City/Shanksville charge, said the congregation serves the community in a variety of spiritual and charitable events.

“These are ideas we took upon ourselves to help others,” Newell said.

Community renewal services will be conducted at 7 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Shanksville and Tuesday and Sept. 24 at Central City.

The services feature speakers from different areas, and special music and presentations are incorporated into each program.

This year, Chandra Newell, 22, the pastor’s daughter, will portray women of the Bible in a monologue titled “Women of Legacy.”

Jamee Boozer of Stoystown, church member and chairwoman of the evangelizing committee, said it’s the congregation’s goal to implement a variety of outreach programs to benefit everyone.

“We reach out to the community at-large,” Boozer said. “Our congregation is warm and inviting, and enjoys serving people in the Central City area.”

The Central City church, 704 Lohr St., also offers a program titled “Love Giveaway,” which is a service offered at the church during April and November.

People are encouraged to browse through the items and take what they need at no charge.

“There are many church thrift shops and small discount stores that are real blessings and offer things at nominal charges. But we want people to come and choose things with no strings attached,” Newell said. “It helps in these difficult times.”

Members of the church donate new and gently used clothing, shoes, baby items, blankets and household items.

“We offer this on the same Saturday as the food pantry distribution is offered, so those who benefit from the food pantry can make their way to the church and take the items that they need,” Boozer said.

The next giveaway is scheduled for Nov. 8.

The program was started in a small room in the church’s basement. It has grown to where it occupies the entire basement, with several larger items kept outside.

“We even had some furniture and a deep freezer at the April giveaway,” Boozer said.

“We’ve had a great response.”

To control the number of items offered, the church limits who is eligible to donate.

“We’ve limited donations to the church congregation because of space limitations,” Boozer said. “We cannot store items, so we only collect for the week preceding the event.”

Any items left over from the giveaway are offered to other church members or forwarded to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

The church will open its fellowship hall for a free spaghetti dinner to members of the community from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 25.

The initial menu includes spaghetti, a salad, rolls or bread and homemade desserts.

“You know, ‘church lady’ cakes are the best,” Boozer said.

Seating capacity is nearly 80, but meals will be served in shifts as people come and go.

Some other outreach projects being considered are a movie day, community Christmas caroling and a worship service in the community park.

        

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