Church’s heart for mission helps homeless — and even pets
By Donna Frischknecht Jackson | Presbyterians Today
Left: Calvary member Ken Jones hauls in dog food donated by the congregation at a recent Second Sunday Sharing. Courtesy of Calvary Presbyterian. Right: The Rev. Holly Clark-Porter poses with another ginger, who greets those from Calvary Presbyterian who were bringing lots of treats to the animals. Holly Clark-Porter
Calvary Presbyterian Church has had a heart for mission ever since a group of friends gathered in 1944 seeking to have a church closer to their home — in what was then a growing suburb of southwest Wilmington, Delaware. Today, the long legacy of helping neighbors continues with partnerships with organizations like Meeting Ground, a local group addressing homelessness, and Friendship House, which offers transitional housing, a clothing bank and “empowerment centers,” providing those in need with a place to regroup, work on resumes, have a cup of coffee and connect with others. But Wilmington is a big city with lots of opportunities to help others. So, Calvary Presbyterian created what is called “Second Sunday Sharing,” in which the congregation helps one local nonprofit.
“It’s a time where we learn a little about the organization,” said the Rev. Holly Clark-Porter. “We then bring forward tangible items that will help that organization during the last hymn.”
On a recent Second Sunday Sharing, the items brought forward were large bags of dog food, dog biscuits and treats for felines. The items were to help feed animals at the Faithful Friends Animal Society, a privately funded no-kill shelter.
“Faithful Friends does so much for Wilmington and for animals. We are so heartened by their work,” Clark-Porter said.
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