Articles

Faith And The City Awards recognize outstanding ministries helping to build
‘Beloved Community’

Faith And The City e.Newsletter
August 15, 2008

In July, Faith And The City and the Atlanta Theological Association named the two recipients of the first annual Beloved Community Awards for Best Practices in Public Ministry. They are the Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center Inc., which provides emergency economic support for residents facing crises, and the Brookhaven United Methodist Church’s Recovery Bible Study Program, which offers spiritual support for individuals in substance abuse recovery.

“The Beloved Community Awards recognize outstanding public ministry initiatives in the Atlanta metro area that nurture development of the ‘Beloved Community’ envisioned by Martin Luther King Jr.,” explained Rev. Jane Fahey, an administrator of the awards program and director of the Faith And The City Program at Columbia Theological Seminary. Awards range up to $750.

The Beloved Community Awards program was created earlier this year as one element in an established partnership between Faith And The City and the Atlanta Theological Association. The ATA represents four leading seminaries in the Atlanta area: Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Columbia Theological Seminary, Interdenominational Theological Center, and McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University. Faith And The City also enjoys longstanding partnerships with each institution and funds programs on their respective campuses.

Feeding the hungry … and much more

The Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center Inc. (SWEEAC) delivers support to area residents who are experiencing extreme economic need. The initiative was organized in 1988 by several churches to pool their resources and optimize their efficiency in meeting the heavy demand from families in need of food and household items, clothes, school supplies, health and beauty products, and referrals to other agencies.

SWEEAC today delivers services in four critical areas. The Skills Enhancement Program focuses on assistance in employment, job-related transportation, personal money management, home management, and computer access, as well as providing referrals to social services resources. The Anti-Hunger Program’s food pantry is stocked with donations from the Atlanta Community Food Bank, local grocers, and partner churches. SWEEAC’s Children-at-Risk Program provides educational activities for children from ages 4 to 10. The Dress-for-Success Program operates a clothes closet and offers assistance with clothing selections for all age groups.

“SWEEAC’s mission is to assist citizens who find themselves in crisis,” explained Ernesta B. Ingram, the organization’s director. “We work with homeless people and often working people who are trying to make ends meet to help them get back on their feet.” According to Ms. Ingram, SWEEAC distributed more than 130,000 pounds of food in the past two years and served approximately 2,600 clients in 2006 and over 6,300 in 2007.

During the past two decades, SWEEAC’s membership has expanded to include 10 sponsoring congregations representing a range of denominations – African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and United Methodist. Partner churches currently include:

• Bethel United Methodist
• Bethlehem Baptist
• Church of The Master Presbyterian (U.S.A.)
• Greater Turner Chapel A.M.E.
• Hoosier Memorial United Methodist
• Mt Calvary Baptist
• Radcliffe Presbyterian (U.S.A.)
• St. Anthony of Padua Catholic
• St. Mark A.M.E.
• West Hunter Street Baptist

SWEEAC, recipient of a Faith And The City Beloved Community Award of $750, serves residents in the Southwest Atlanta area and those referred by partner churches. "The Beloved Community Award recognizes SWEEAC for its collaborative ecumenical model in responding to the growing needs of its surrounding community in a time of dwindling economic resources for both individuals and institutions," explained Rev. Fahey of Faith And The City.

The organization is managed Mrs. Ingram, Joshua Dunlap, the assistant director, and an advisory board of representatives from partner churches. SWEEAC is housed in West Hunter Street Baptist Church at 1040 Ralph David Abernathy Dr., SW, Atlanta 30310.

Serving neighbors in substance abuse recovery

The Recovery Bible Study Program at Brookhaven United Methodist Church began 10 years ago with the congregation offering refreshments to participants in the Peachford Communities drug and alcohol recovery residence program who were meeting at the church one evening a week. The relationship grew as the congregation began preparing and serving Thanksgiving dinner and later provided Christmas stockings for residents of Peachford who remained at the facility through the holidays.

Brookhaven became directly involved in the actual recovery process when Rev. Don Shannon joined the church. Shannon, now the congregation’s minister of pastoral care, is in recovery and feels a special calling to help those struggling with addiction. He designed the Recovery Bible Study, which meets on Tuesday evenings as one of seven sessions per week that Peachford Communities requires its residents to attend.

During the past two years, attendance at Brookhaven’s Tuesday sessions has grown from 20 to 90. The Bible study is now divided into smaller groups, each selecting a leader. The groups focus on topics such as forgiveness, anger, and selfishness, discussing them in the context of related scripture. Study participants also submit prayer requests, which are distributed to congregation members who have volunteered to offer the prayers.

An additional element, a Saturday morning meeting at the church, provides an opportunity for any person in recovery to meet with Shannon and engage the Christian Twelve Step process through the “Power to Choose” workbook. In March, Brookhaven UMC began offering a Saturday evening worship service geared to those in recovery but open to all, followed by a period of fellowship.

Brookhaven UMC, recipient of a Beloved Community Award of $500, is pastored by Rev. Sara Webb Phillips and located at 1366 North Druid Hills Rd., Atlanta 30319.

For more information on:

Faith And The City Beloved Community Awards for Best Practices in Public Ministry, visit www.faithandthecity.org.

Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center (SWEEAC), visit www.sweeac.org or call 404.756.1699.

Brookhaven UMC Bible Study Recovery Program, visit www.brookhavenumc.org or call 404.237.7506.

Peachford Communities, call 800.448.6448.