The Chapel has collected 18 tons in donations in just two years
Pastors of several Friendship churches greet Roger Woodruff of Photos for Souls of Alfred, second from right, as The Traveling Chapel arrives in the community Sunday afternoon for a two-month stay to collect no-longer-used Bibles and Christian materials for shipment to pastors and missionaries in other countries who have difficult obtaining such items. With Woodruff, from left, are Pastors Kirk Kirch of the United Church of Friendship, Kevin Palmiter of Followers of the Way – Nile Community Church, and Duane Broadwell of the Bible Baptist Church.
From Allegany Hope Inc.,
Friendship church leaders have welcomed a new chapel to the community.
Several community pastors were on hand this afternoon (Sunday, Octoberr 1) as the small mobile structure was put into place on the front lawn of the former St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 30 East Main Street to receive no-longer-used Bibles and Christian literature for shipment to pastors and missionaries in other countries where such items are unavailable or difficult to obtain. Toys also are accepted for children.
The Chapel, which has collected over 18 tons of materials since it first was put into service a little over two years ago, will be at the Friendship location during October and November.
Individuals can drop off items anytime by simply placing them inside the structure, located on a small trailer which has been traveling to churches and other locations in the Southern Tier of New York and Northern Pennsylvania.
The outreach is being hosted by Friendship churches as they continue to join together to have greater impact both locally and in other parts of the country and world.
In recent months, they have hosted a Community Picnic, a Back to School prayer gathering which has become a monthly event, several joint Christian holiday activities and last week’s Family Day Celebration and Wellness Fair. They also have supported activities hosted by individual churches.
A What God is Doing in Friendship ny monthly newsletter, which is distributed to church attendees and the public, has been developed, along with a group Facebook page by the same name.
Churches also are seeking to engage a volunteer, or part-time or full-time children, youth and families ministries director for work within the community.
Photos for Souls is a Christian outreach ministry which provides free use of scenic and other photographs, which are posted online for either personal or commercial purposes.
Further information about The Chapel and the Photos for Souls Christian nonprofit ministry, including a video which shows construction of the structure and its use, is available at https://bit.ly/3O2t208.
Updates and reports about joint initiatives of the Friendship churches are available on the What God is Doing in Friendship ny group Facebook page or from Allegany Hope, joint ministries facilitator, at AlleganyHopeWNY@outlook.com or (585) 664-9989.
