|
FOOD PANTRY HAS
RECORD DISTRIBUTION
In October 2009 The Disciples Mission Food Pantry of
First Christian Church in Marietta, GA set a record for the both the
number of pounds of food distributed and the number of families assisted
by distributing over 56,700 pounds of food to 752 families in need.
Even more astounding is the milestone that will be reached sometime in
December—an astonishing 2 Million pounds of food will have been
distributed in the last twelve years.
Around mid-December the Food Pantry will reach perhaps
the biggest milestone of all…over 2 Million pounds of food distributed
in the last 12 years. 2 Million pounds of food to families in need
throughout Cobb County GA. What a wonderful accomplishment. Praise the
Lord!
Founded by The Christian Women’s Fellowship, the Food
Pantry began on July 5, 1990 with $50 in contributions. Marge Rose and
Anita Farris led the organization that was originally called “The Loaves
and Fishes Food Pantry”. Renamed 12 years ago when Sherwood Smith became
the Executive Director, the Disciples Mission Food Pantry continues to
grow and break its own records.
Helped by the federal government’s Stimulus Program,
the Food Pantry was able to distribute over 56,700 pounds of food—more
than double the usual distribution in October. These families consisted
of over 2400 persons with over 1000 being children. Families benefited
from at least three extra meat items, three extra cheese items, eggs,
peanut butter, and several canned fruit items in addition to the
balanced menu items that are normally distributed.
Sherwood Smith (“Woody” as he is known to church
members) is assisted each week by 40-60 volunteers who pick up bread and
sweets, stocks the storerooms, re-packs food, prepares the food bags,
registers clients, keeps records, and assists clients on Mondays and
Saturdays from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. Fortunately the church has been
blessed with additional volunteers who have helped distribute the food
in October and November.
At First Christian Church of Marietta, GA the Food
Pantry is currently holding its Holiday Harvest Food Drive and is
collecting food to allow many families to have holiday meals. As you
shop for your holiday meal, please remember your friends and neighbors
who are less fortunate. Pick up a few items to donate, and say a special
prayer at your table this year for those families in need.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from First Christian Church of
Marietta!
Join us on the web at
www.fccmarietta.org
and on
Facebook!
Meet the Band
 by
Amy Verner
Five men, a
keyboard, a couple of guitars and a set of drums called "Soulfire” lead
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 569 Fraiser Street,
Marietta, on Saturday nights in worship. If you are a fan of the new
wave of Christian Rock groups, you will not want to miss out on this.
Many of the groups’ songs are written by the band members, and some you
will hear on the Christian Rock Stations today.
Soulfire
began in the fall of 2000; Sean Warner began a Saturday evening worship
service. Sean would bring his guitar, pick a few songs, he would have
someone provide a sermon and we would share communion. One Saturday
evening Jeff Shimizu attended the service and was really excited to see
Sean having such a great time that he asked if he could join in at the
next service. Sean welcomed Jeff with open arms and was thrilled that
someone else was interested in a new way to praise our Lord. Well, it
was not long after this that another one of our congregations’ very
talented individuals, Jeff Johnson, joined with Sean and Jeff.
 The three of these men,
gathered every other Saturday evening and played some really great
music, afterwards everyone would meet at the closest pizza restaurant
for dinner and fellowship. The group originally named themselves “Souled
Out”, but then realized another group had already been using this name.
Sean purchased a T-Shirt form a Christian Bookstore that read Soul Fire,
the guys simply put the two words together and Soulfire was born.
For a few years the three men
continued their Saturday Nite Alive service, which was growing in great
numbers, as well as, playing for the congregation on Sunday mornings. In
2002, Steve Wood came to kick it up on the keyboard. Next thing you
know, a set of drums appeared along with Scott Hopkins.
This group has been playing
for benefits and charitable causes within our congregations, as well as
many others. They have appeared on the Grave Digger Show, seen on WATC
TV57 Friday nights at 10:00p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. They have recently been in the recording studio.
Soulfire’s mission is to
spread God’s word through their music. Music is said to “move the soul”
and Soulfire’s music moves the souls of those who listen. Their music
appeals to all ages, young and old. The group is looking forward to
spreading beyond our community to reach all those who are looking for a
musical way to praise our Lord. Soulfire has performed for Senior
Citizens Homes, a Homeless Shelter in downtown Atlanta. |
