Loving Our Neighbors in Many Ways
One of the greatest gifts of our church is the way our congregation lives out Christ’s call to love our neighbors. Whether through donations, volunteering, preparing meals, or simply showing up, your generosity continues to make a meaningful impact throughout our community.
On August 1, members of our Benevolence Ministry participated in the 2nd Annual Resident Appreciation Day at Red Hill Pointe, an affordable housing community just down the road from SPC. Karen Johnson, Noelle Gray, and Riley Byrd distributed more than 100 stuffed animals and children’s books to families. Thank you to everyone who donated these items and helped make the day so special. Through Charlotte Stone’s ongoing partnership with the apartment community, we are grateful for the relationships that allow us to continue caring for our neighbors in meaningful ways.
Our Sunday Serve ministry also continues to faithfully serve Greensboro’s unhoused community. Every other Saturday, volunteers gather at SPC to prepare meals, which are served downtown on Sunday at 300 Spring Garden Street. What began more than ten years ago as a small group of friends sharing sandwiches has grown into a ministry that now provides complete meals thanks to generous support from River Landing, City Barbeque, a Lance snack distributor, and many individual donors who provide water and meal containers. On weeks when meals are not served downtown, they are delivered to GUM. If you would like to lend a hand, volunteers are always welcome on Saturday mornings at 10:00 a.m. to help pack meals. Karen Johnson or Zoe Dillard would be happy to tell you more.
This summer also marked another successful season at Colt’s Run Apartments, where volunteers shared food, fellowship, and enrichment with residents throughout the summer. Together, we served more than 500 meals to children and their families, distributed 70 backpacks filled with school supplies, and provided 13 toy bags for young children. Our final gathering was especially meaningful as the Greensboro Police Department joined us to grill hamburgers and hot dogs while helping distribute backpacks. More than 125 residents attended, creating opportunities to build community, strengthen relationships, and foster trust.
In addition, the Benevolence Ministry provided 45 grocery gift cards, valued at $75 each, to families at Colt’s Run to help offset the rising cost of groceries.
Your generosity also extended to our refugee and immigrant neighbors through Faith Action. Thanks to your donations, our congregation filled 25 backpacks with school supplies that will be distributed to children preparing for the new school year. We are deeply grateful for the faithful way you continue to welcome, encourage, and support our immigrant and refugee community. Especially during challenging times, your compassion is a powerful witness to Christ’s love.
“Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given.” – Luke 12:48 –
For more than 15 years our church has passed a Benevolence Basket on the 4th Sunday of each month. These contributions are used to assist individuals and families in our community who are at risk of eviction or having utilities disconnected. These requests primarily come from the Emergency Assistance Director at Greensboro Urban Ministry. The increased cost of food, gasoline, rent, etc. makes it almost impossible for many families in our community to provide for their needs. Please help us by continuing to contribute to the Benevolence Fund.