 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
The little church of big works
By WAVENEY ANN MOORE, Times Staff Writer ST. PETERSBURG -- They're like the little train that could. They hand out backpacks of goodies to the homeless, feed and clothe Third World orphans and lift the spirits of local children affected by AIDS. Just 8 years old and with only about 30 members, Christ the Cornerstone Church, at 1025 Seventh Ave. N, has been given to grand visions from its inception. "We were hoping to become the ideal church," said the Rev. Joyce Stone, founder of the nondenominational community. "We're not a church of money. We are a church of works. We believe you have to live your Christianity by your fruit, by taking care of widows and orphans and children and the outcasts, the downcasts. We do our best to exemplify Christian living," said Stone, 49, who gets a small salary from the church, but sells cars for a living. Thursday, about half a dozen members of her congregation will set out for the Dominican Republic, where Christ the Cornerstone Church has established an outreach ministry. They will lug duffel bags of clothing, medicines and other supplies to a private orphanage there. One member of the team, Gayle Schultes, will make plans to remain. "She's our missionary," Stone said, explaining that this is a first step. "Our vision is to be a worldwide ministry." Ms. Schultes' generosity and commitment are praised by members of her church, but the retired computer technician admitted that not everyone is impressed. "They say, "Where's your brain?' " said Ms. Schultes, who celebrates her 59th birthday today. Of her decision to retire to the impoverished nation, she said: "God has shown me such love throughout my whole life and it's absolutely important that I don't hold that in. ... I've been going down there since 1992. I was just touched by the people down there." Ms. Schultes said she will help run the orphanage, which recently lost its director to AIDS. "Plus, I'm going to be teaching some computer skills. We're taking down four donated computers," she said. At least one other member of Christ the Cornerstone Church has decided to make the orphanage her life's work. Eighty-seven-year-old Mary DePaul has volunteered to go with Ms. Schultes. "I've told her that she could die down there just as easily as she can die here," said Ms. Schultes, who also will be accompanied by her two cats, Miss Dolly and Dusty. "All of our furnishings have already gone. We shipped 5,000 pounds of household goods. We sent beds, dressers and a refrigerator and a microwave," she said. Next week's trip will be the pastor's first to the Dominican Republic. Her partner, Becky Williams, started visiting three years ago and was drawn to the orphans. "I went down to help them and instead they helped me. They are all so open. They are so needy and so appreciative. It's a calling now," said Ms. Williams, 54, who forages thrift stores and garage sales for bargains for the children. "We collect things from anybody and everybody," she said. "We make shipments every once in awhile." Ms. Williams said one of her most poignant memories was mealtime at the orphanage. The children had been divided into two groups, according to age, and she was puzzled to see only some eating, while the others watched. "They had to wait for the silverware, so the second group could eat," Ms. Williams learned. "We've made a big difference in their lives and they don't have to do that anymore," she said. Closer to home, the church has started a Saturday morning club for children affected or infected by HIV or AIDS. "It's a respite for the parents," said Stone, who added that the children are taken on outings and taught skills such as cooking. "We teach them Christian values as well," she said. The church also operates a food pantry and hands out backpacks to the homeless with items such as sweat shirts, flashlights, pop-top cans of food, Bibles and bars of soap. Members keep the backpacks in their cars and give them away at highway entrances and exits or whenever they see a person in need. "One gentleman, every time I see him, he gives me a thumbs up," Stone said. Besides helping the needy, said Stone, her church's mission is to bring spiritual enrichment to all. "We're an inclusive church. We welcome everyone. Anyone who is gay, lesbian, black, white. We want anyone who feels rejected," she said. "Jesus met the people where they were and called the blind to see, the lame to walk, the downcast to feel important in God's eyes." The church that she founded at the urging of several people, began with 12 members, Stone said. "That's the magic number, isn't it?" she said, referring to the number of Jesus' disciples. The Lilliputian congregation first met in an office, which they had to prepare for worship each Sunday. "We'd take down all the cubicles and make it into a sanctuary and after service was over, we would put it all back," Stone said. Last year, the church purchased its own property. Dusty Asberry, a Realtor with Realty Executives South, helped members find property they could afford. "I'm just forever impressed with them. They truly operate on faith and that makes a lot of sense to me," Asberry said. "I see that they are very sincere. Obviously, one person cannot change the entire world. But if we listen to our personal heart's voice and we do what we are supposed to do in our neck of the woods, and collectively, if we do that, then we can change the world." Stone said her church depends on the generosity of friends and family to perform its good works. "Sometimes we have a drive or we might have a yard sale," she said. "We don't have a fancy building. We're not about that. We believe in living our faith. Our motto is, "We are a small church of mighty works.' "
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times South Pinellas desks |
