The Harbor of Lasting Relationships
Cherilyn Horning (Left) and Darlene Pease (right) coordinate residents at the Harbor
The women at Dove Harbor need many things. But their most pressing need isn’t for groceries, transportation, jobs or money— it’s for healthy relationships with other women. “So much of their lives are marked with unhealthy relationships, co-dependency, manipulation, giving out of obligation, being taken advantage of, the extremes of emotional or physical abuse,” comments Cherilyn Horning, Program Manager at Dove Harbor. “They often don’t even know where to start in connecting to someone in a healthy way.”
A ministry of Madison Park Church, the six- to twelve-month transitional shelter for women and women with children provides a unique balance of Christian principles with professional social work skills to help the women establish a balanced and beneficial future. The women attend weekly mandatory groups where they learn about healthy boundaries, safe people, effective communication skills and self-care. While at the shelter the women have the ongoing support of the staff—but when they graduate, that daily support is not available.
“The women get established and do well while at the Harbor but need a support system as they go out to establish a new life,” explains Darlene Pease, Dove Harbor Board member and co-leader of the Mentoring Program. “They have a real need for continuing connection with healthy people.” Darlene and Cherilyn have seen God at work in the past year as an idea blossomed and grew. A mentoring program has developed that would connect a mentor with a woman, while they are in the program, building a relationship that would continue after graduation. Cherilyn adds, “Our goal is that a relationship with a mentor can give an opportunity to practice and reinforce the skills and information the women learn in a real-life relationship.”
A training manual has been developed and six women completed the first training program in January with ongoing training for new mentors. Cherilyn and Darlene feel God’s moving in this new ministry and pray that, “God will draw the women that He wants to be mentors in this opportunity to touch the lives of the women that come to the Harbor – to be God’s hands and feet in relationship.” When they asked one of the mentors about the best thing that has happened in her relationship with one of the women she replied, “Finally – she smiled.”
For more information about the Dove Harbor Mentoring Program, contact Darlene Pease at (765)622-9653 or Cherilyn Horning at (765) 642- 1853.
Filed under: -- Volunteer Ministry
Sprucing Up for Spring
Spring brings a surge of energy and creativity to gardening pros and novices alike. The first crocus or flowering tree wells up the desire to plant a pansy or spread a bag of mulch.
Landscaping is the first visible feature to our home and our church. From the sign on Columbus Avenue to the pond beside the church the flora and fauna elements create a space where peace and beauty dwell.
As you enter Providence Drive large landscape beds flank both sides of the road. There are 52 landscape islands in the parking lot and large flower and shrub beds surrounding the building culminating at the Memorial Walkway and patio.
Rick Sprague, Chair of the MPC Landscape Committee, expresses the excitement of the team. “We have been meeting and planning for the spring and summer clean-up, planting and upkeep of our beautiful grounds. Many people are needed to maintain the outdoor facilities throughout the summer months.”
140 cubic yards of mulch (that’s two truck loads) has been ordered. Help will be needed to spread it in the landscape beds on work day, Saturday, April 24 at 9:00am.
People are needed to help plant 20 flats of flowers around the church building. The resulting visual blessing is well worth the time and effort.
52 parking lot islands need to be maintained throughout the summer.
Adopt an Island. Volunteers are needed to maintain a parking lot island for the summer. About every two weeks the islands need to be sprayed for weeds, using the church equipment. No flowers are planted in these islands making maintenance minimal but weeds do sprout in abundance. Sign up to Adopt an Island at the table in The Commons on Sunday, April 18.
Landscape beauty is a good steward of a MPC’s small patch of earth and can help share the awe of God’s creation to all who pass and enter Madison Park Church.
For more information, or to volunteer for this ministry, contact Rick Sprague at (765) 649-4114.
Filed under: -- Athletics, -- The Miriam Project, -- Volunteer Ministry, Feature Articles
Volunteer Spotlight: Once he started, he just couldn’t quit!
Not only does he hold the start gun each year, but he was a major start gun for the annual 5K and 10K race; a benefit for The Miriam Project, a Christian adoption agency which provides a full range of adoptive services to birth families and adoptive families.
Race director, Wally Post, has started the race since it began in 2003. Doug Linville, Miriam Project Director, says, “We wouldn’t be able to hold the annual race without the consistent leadership and energy Wally provides to get it all set up and accomplished. He is so dedicated and willing to do whatever is needed. Wally believes in the purpose of the Miriam Project and wants to help the ministry succeed.”
Wally began attending then North Anderson Church of God when the church was located on Broadway; the facility which now houses the Miriam Project. Through the years his friendly nature and talents have also benefited the ushering team, worship arts and student ministries.
The race is run on MPC’s 211-acre campus, which covers beautiful wooded trails, lake and landscaped pavement; and includes two water stations and refreshments at the finish. The annual event, in which about 100 walkers/runners participate, offers both a walking or running 5k race or running the 10K. Awards are given for various categories: overall male and female winner and first, second and third place runners and walkers in age divisions.
The seventh annual run/walk will be held on September 12 beginning at 8:30. (See page two for details.) Wally will be there – sounding the start gun and cheering from behind –no matter how busy he is, he always cheers on the participants and the Miriam Project!
For more information about the Miriam Project or the event, call (765) 640-1580 or visit www.miriamproject.org.
