United Methodist Churches in many areas across the country operate in clusters, a simple strategy to accomplish more together than one church could do individually. Boone County Methodist churches have had many successful ministries that prove the effectiveness of this concept.
Tim Ottinger, Chair of the Boone County United Methodist Cluster, said earlier this year a seed of an idea was planted by Jared Kendall, Pastor of Otterbein UMC in Lebanon.
“[Kendall] recognized a need of helping mothers, many of them single parents, in love and support raising newborns in difficult situations, both financially and many cases without the support of any nearby family,” Ottinger said.
Kendall said it is a heartbreaking situation where many people feel they have nowhere to turn.
“It is hard enough in normal situations, let alone on your own with little or no resources,” Kendall said.
Further research illustrated many local charitable organizations that provide food and clothing fall short when it comes to items for newborns.
“From that idea we are starting our Mother and Child Program,” Ottinger said. “We had a diaper and formula drive in October and in that effort we collected 10,291 diapers and 28 containers of formula.”
Nancy Boone of Terhune UMC said the churches will be providing gift baskets upon notices of births and conducting baby showers which add to the personal support.
“We will help on a direct basis if contacted by someone in need or work with many of our partner organizations such as The Caring Center, Love INC, WIC, The Pregnancy Center and more,” Boone said “This initial collection is going to The Caring Center in Lebanon which has overwhelmed Theresa Hanners, director of the center, with the size and success of this initial effort.”
Ottinger said long term they hope to go beyond providing food and material goods.
“[We want] to know their names, their situations and show there is love and support available and that people really care. That is church after all,” he said.
