Several departments of the East End Seventh-day Adventist Church partnered to host a Back to School Community Day event on Sunday, August 25, 2019. To meet the needs of the community, contributions were secured from local businesses and church members.
The Community Services and Health Ministry Departments offered free health checks and distributed school uniforms and supplies, as well as clothing. Senior members of the East End Pathfinder Club assisted with clothing distribution and health screening. Ladies of the Women’s Ministry Department prepared a light breakfast for persons that came out to receive health screening. The Prayer Ministry team was also on hand to pray with anyone desirous of having someone pray with them.
Sister Gracia Smith, the Health Ministry leader, ably organized the health checks and skillfully coordinated the team. Health personnel from the sister churches came out to serve in the initiative. Sister Smith commented, “The day was very successful. The church accomplished the goal of Community Day, which is to minister to the community and meet their needs through health screening and counselling, nutrition advice, clothes distribution and intercessory prayers.” Sister Smith also shared that the persons who were served expressed words of thanks and appreciation.
Sister Amia Chalwell, the Community Services leader, expressed satisfaction, “It was a pleasure for the Community Services Department to be a part of such a noble aspect of giving back to the community. We were well pleased to see how receptive the people from the community were as they participated in the different services that were offered. We are so happy that our community is interested in knowing the status of their health and, also, it was a pleasure serving those who benefitted from the free school supplies and clothing.”
The church gives praise to God as it is His grace and mercy that enabled the church to provide valuable services to these communities, where some persons are still faced with challenges resulting from the destructive hurricanes and flooding of 2017. All participating departments are to be commended for their tireless efforts to ensure that there were sufficient supplies to meet the needs.