A group of youths from the Clearwater Christian Church Sunday School program is taking a message it’s learned to heart and will be raising funds for a couple of local charities.
It all started when the group was making decorative plaques on Psalm Sunday this year, which explained the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while also studying the theme “Jesus went around doing good.”
After showing their finished plaques to the congregation, many in attendance asked about buying them, and that’s when the fundraising idea came up.
“What they’re doing is learning by example,” said Melissa Dohms, who co-teaches the class with Linda Brierly.
“Jesus went around doing good, and making these plaques, selling them and putting those monies toward something in the community is doing good.”
The students decided they’d sell the crafts at the upcoming Country Gospel Benefit Concert, which is taking place on May 25 at the Star Lake Ministry Centre, and donate the money raised to the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital Society and the Clearwater and District Food Bank.
https://www.clearwatertimes.com/news/clearwater-christian-church-building-changes-hands/
The goal is to make 50 plaques and sell them for $10 a piece then split the resulting $500 between the two charities.
When asked why it’s important to do good, student Iyannah Toscano said, “Because it’s nice to see other people smile and have their reaction to someone else helping them.”
The message on the plaques reads 3 nails plus 1 cross equals 4 giveness, though there’ll be several different designs to choose from.
An aspect of the project Brierly said she finds neat is the synergy of people within the Clearwater community that are contributing to help the Sunday school students with the initiative.
“Different people with different resources and skills are coming together to create the event—in this case the chunks of wood for the plaques and little crosses are being made and donated by a woodworker in town, Jan Westendorp, then the mod podge crafty part has been undertaken by a crafty lady, Tracey Richardson, so it’s one of these group efforts,” Brierly said.
“The other piece of the puzzle is it’s empowerment of young people; giving them the guidance and resources they need and letting them run with it. And the fact they’re looking beyond their own iPhones and video games and want to do something for the community is another good community example.”
Doors for the Country Gospel Benefit Concert, featuring music by the Clearwater Christian Church Praise Team, open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is by donation.
For more information call 250-674-7073.
newsroom@clearwatertimes.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter