Story by V. Michelle Bernard
Allegheny East Conference
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The First Church of Coatesville in Pennsylvania recently organized a “Sunshine Ministry,” to bring joy to their senior members. The ministry group visits seniors at their doorstep, providing socially distanced fellowship, singing, prayer and encouraging words.
About 20 Coatesville members recently delivered baskets to seniors filled with brightly-colored snacks, a sunflower and a yard sign, reminding them that they were missed and loved.
The team visited 12 seniors, including a member who has been in a rehab facility for weeks. Although they weren’t allowed inside, they offered encouragement outside of her window.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
As antiracist protests continue throughout the nation and worldwide, the Liberty church in Windsor Mill, Md., organized a peaceful demonstration supporting black lives.
Led by Pastor Mark McCleary, Liberty church and community members spilled into the streets of Windsor Mill on July 4. Maurice Taylor, Baltimore area ministerial leader for the Allegheny East Conference (AEC), also joined the marchers.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The men of the Metropolitan church in Hyattsville, Md., recently led a march in Washington, D.C., to protest the death of George Floyd, a black man killed in May by the hands of police officers. Led by Pastor Trevor Kinlock, the initial group of 25 swelled to about 1,000, as hundreds of people joined them. The march became one of the largest in D.C., and garnered the attention of various news outlets such as CBS, CNN and FOX.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
MSNBC recently featured the Berean church in Newark, N.J., for their efforts in providing meals to needy families during the COVID-19 crisis.
Prior to the outbreak, the Berean church operated their food pantry twice a month on Sundays, faithfully feeding 100 to 200 families. Due to the pandemic, however, the demand for food increased. Many people, including church members, were furloughed or lost their jobs completely.
When food suppliers asked if they would be will- ing to receive more food for distribution, community service leader Felice Williams and Pastor Henry Davis got on board.