Court Street United Methodist Church is committed to supporting our local community in as many ways as we can to the best of our abilities. Our two primary ministry efforts designed to serve the community are our Food Pantry and Baby Grace programs. You can find more information abut those services by clicking the drop-down menu on the “ministries” tab here on our website.
However, we also pride ourselves on both being present within and serving our local community in ways that go beyond our Baby Grace and Food Pantry services. Below are just some of the ways members of our congregation are currently engaging ministry outreach.
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Meet the New Cape-less Crusaders
Mask-maker, mask-maker, make me a mask… A small group of folks who are handy with a sewing machine are putting their skills to good use. In a recent conversation, our very own Sara Revelle, DNP, made it known that Boone Hospital is accepting donations of surgical masks. The hospital update memo notes that they have specific guidelines that must be followed:
We have received offers from volunteers all over mid-Missouri to create surgical cloth masks. These will be accepted and made available to Boone team members who are not engaged in the direct clinical care of patients AFTER they are received and inspected by Infection Prevention.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance on the use of Personal Protective Equipment, and instructs hospitals to utilize only NIOSH-approved surgical masks for direct clinical care of patients requiring isolation, until such a point that these masks are no longer available. The cloth surgical masks will be an important part of our surge plan, and may provide a viable alternative for clinical caregivers in the event of any future supply crisis in which medical supplies are depleted.
Once Rev. Rebecca posted on social media the need along with a call for material and volunteers the community responded. Some have donated fabric. Others have noted facilities in our own community in need of masks. The need may be greater than our resources but that should not keep us from doing good. Additionally, we have put both the instructions and patterns for masks on our website so everyone has access to them. You can find them by clicking on the “Virtual Worship” tab above. #donoharm #dogood #stayinlovewithGod
Congregation member Linda Mealy sews masks for local community members and healthcare professionals while responsibly practicing social-distancing from the safety of her home.
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Spiritually Connecting While Socially Distancing:
Communion Home Delivery
Unconventional times need unconventional thinking. As the Worship and Hospitality Committee and Rev. Rebecca pondered how to keep the important sacrament of communion an active part of worship services during social/physical distancing, an idea was born. Home delivery!
Alan and Jan Finke immediately volunteered for the job. New, individually wrapped packets of the two elements, juice and a wafer, were ordered and each regular church attendee was contacted to see if they wanted the new service. Alan and Jan then prepared the communion kits, along with instructions, and Rev. Rebecca blessed them. On Thursday and Friday, March 23 & 24, Alan and Jan delivered to 29 homes leaving a total of 67 kits. Jan reported that people were very excited to have communion brought to them and were very grateful for this unique outreach from the church.
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Tie a White Ribbon
Our First Responders and Healthcare Professionals are on the front lines of fighting COVID-19. They are putting their lives on the line and making sacrifices for the health and well-being of our communities. Our own Wanda Wickell reminds us of the days when we tied yellow ribbons around trees in support of those we hoped would come home safely. Let’s show our support of those on the front lines of the battle with COVID-19 by using what resources we have at hand to tie a white ribbon around a tree in our yard or placing a white ribbon in our windows or on our doors. Join us in this White Ribbon Campaign.
Then be sure to send your pictures to the office so we can share with our community.
