Archive for Thursday, June 25, 2009
Church fulfills mission to help others
Rodger Shannon paints a house with the Bonner Springs United Methodist Church "Mission Possible" project.
June 25, 2009
Members of the Bonner Springs Methodist Church plant flowers for the "Mission Possible" project.
Members of the United Methodist Church (above) work on painting the exterior of the home of Wally and Liz Cooper. About 60 of the congregation’s members showed up for the project that is part of the church's “Mission Possible.”
Kindness repaid kindness this weekend as the Bonner Springs United Methodist Church began its “Mission Possible” service project.
About 60 members of the congregation gathered Friday and Saturday at the home of Bonner Springs residents Wally and Liz Cooper. Their mission: spruce up the home with siding, paint and landscaping.
“We’re just trying to give back to the community,” said Chris Herre, the congregation member leading the work crew. “It helps us fulfill one of the messages of the church, which is to help those that need help.”
The Coopers are no longer able to do many of the chores a home takes. With some knee surgeries and other health problems, the Coopers became the perfect candidates for a little kindness to come their way.
With no expense to the owners, church members came together in full force, and the Cooper home resembled a well-organized construction site. Several people stood on ladders painting, while others stood below them planting new shrubs. A group of men worked at the front of the house, lifting pieces of siding to one another on various ladders and then nailing them to the structure.
“Everybody sees a need in the community, and we like helping out our neighbors here in Bonner,” Herre said, adding that it was especially important for the youth participants to get an early start on community service.
But community service and giving back is not something that is new to the Cooper household. Wally Cooper has been playing Santa Claus for a linen company in Kansas City, Mo., for many years. With his wife by is side playing Mrs. Claus, Wally traveled around the area on behalf of the company, visiting children during the holiday season.
He recently retired from the gig, but he said he understood the importance of giving back. When one person does something good for another, somehow that always gets paid back, he said.
“We feel really blessed,” Wally said. “It’s quite a deal. We didn’t expect this, but it’s really neat.”
Brad Wheeler, associate pastor of the church, said so far, the “Mission Possible” projects had been a success. He said he was hoping the project continued to grow, allowing the church to take on more houses each year.
“To me, mission work is at the heart of everything,” Wheeler said. “We feel like this is what God wants us to do.”
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Point of View
The postal service is cutting back hours at some rural post offices. How often do you go to the post office?
“For my own personal use, I only go a couple times a year to mail gifts, usually around Christmas and family birthdays. At that time I usually buy a couple books of stamps that last for most of the year! For professional use, I go a couple times a month to check our PO Box.”
Comments
jillyoung315 (anonymous) says…
I wanted to thank everyone from the Bonner Springs United Methodist Church. Wally and Liz are my parents and the job you did is just wonderful. I don't really know how to thank you all, but I know that God will continue to bless you and your families. Also a big thanks to Nicole Kelly from the Chieftian for coming out and letting the community know how great the congragation of Bonner Springs United Methodist Church is and what a beautiful job they did.
God Bless,
Jill Young