Benevolence

Caring For Others In Our Community

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself…” Mark 12:31

The Washington Avenue congregation has a long history of caring for individuals who have fallen on hard times…both within the church family and throughout the community. The focus of our effort has varied over the years…ranging from a broad outreach to the community through our food pantry and clothing bank to quiet interaction among our family members. But always the compassion of our members for people with need was evident. It continues to be the case.

For many years our response to the challenge of helping those in need was reactive; when someone asked for assistance we went into action on their behalf. And in many respects that worked well and resulted in many individuals receiving assistance. But, over time, we came to understand that it would be more effective if we were more proactive in our approach to those who were hurting. To that end, we now encourage ourselves to be on the alert for those who need our help and to actively seek opportunities. Our members now are looking for ways they can directly assist needy individuals. Those individuals come from all walks of life…friends and family of our members, folks in the community and among our church family.