A reminder, churches are not just for Sunday

Editor, The News:

Re: More churches need to help (Letters, Feb. 15).

Thank you for reminding people that churches are not just for Sunday services and not just for those who attend either.

I’m happy to share my knowledge of what churches do for the community.

I’m thankful that my small church in Pitt Meadows has always helped the community, including Maple Ridge residents.

Its name is Grace Community Church. The Friends in Need Food Bank operates out of our building and we help them provide school supplies in September.

We also run a weekly ladies coffee time.

On Pitt Meadows Day, we offer a free lunch, as well as activities for children.

Around Halloween, we held a safe indoor children’s party, by donation.

We have also run ESL and marriage-building classes in the past.

Our Sunday services are followed by free lunches and potluck lunches once a month each.

Individuals in our church have done countless services for the community, including housing homeless people.

I hope this list of what I can remember off the top of my head sheds some insight into the role of churches in their community today.

I know the one I attend is always looking for ways to support the community, as well as communities in poorer countries.

Carolyne Speer

Maple Ridge

Editor, The News:

Re: More churches need to help (Letters, Feb. 15).

The Salvation Army Caring Place’s motto is, “Where healing begins, A Salvation Army Ministry, The Church in Action.”

The myriad activities of all the churches in Maple Ridge are supported by the tithes (10 per cent) of gross earnings and offerings of attendees.

These also serve voluntarily with their talents, time, energy and resources.

The churches advocate for shelter, clothing, meals transitional housing, community and family services, camps for kids, marriage courses, entertain in care homes, provide seniors activities, blood donor clinics, single mom and singles groups.

From cradle (baptism) to marriage to death, the churches offer encouragement, assistance and solace.

On top of locally being a force for good, they provide outreach to Third World countries in the form of food, water and necessities.

In short, it’s not that more churches need to help, but that they need more people to help them.

How about it, Mr. Macdougall?

Cherryl Katnich

Maple Ridge