Public Church Student Visit

Last Friday we had the pleasure of hosting students from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago for their Public Church Immersion class.  It was a great experience for us, and also (we hope) for them!

Our day included:

• God's Closet
• Community Meal
• Church History Discussion
• Tour of the Sanctuary and Bell Tower
• Visit to Benton House Food Pantry and Garden
• Walking Tours of Bridgeport 
• Visits to Jackalope, Bridgeport Coffee, and Gios
• Sleeping over in the Community Center

Thanks to all who helped to make this a worthwhile experience for the students, including Marge Fashing, Richard Albrecht, Pr. Tom, Christine Doidge, Kristina  and everyone at Benton House, Jim Peters, Kristin Ostberg, all the volunteers from God's Closet and anyone I might have missed! 

God's Closet Clearance Wrap Up!

Following a successful "Back to School Clearance" of God's Closet, Roxy Mendez took some time to interview some of the volunteers.  

God's Closet Clearance

By Roxanna Mendez

Journalists at work! Roxy, Julie and Alyssa

This week God’s Closet had a clearance. The clearance was Monday 8/25/14 - Friday 8/29/14 . We did a clearance week because we had too much stuff.  By stuff we mean a lots of clothes.  We also put a table outside with clothes and a person or two to look out for the table.

We had great volunteers: Roseanne, Rich, Kathy, Renee G, Mary, Claudia, Ben, Yamara, Irene, Al, Irene M, Alicia, Marge, John, Elma, and Sonia. The kids asked some of the volunteers some questions.

Irene M:
What is the is the weirdest thing you found in God’s Closet: shoes
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: Coat
What did you think could use improvement: Nothing
Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: We volunteer for gods closet because this church gave us a lots of stuff and now i am giving back.

Kathy:
What is the is the weirdest thing you found in God’s Closet: Thongs
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: Candy dish
What did you think could use improvement: They should put the women pants by the mens pants and the men pants can go to the womens pants because short people cant reach the womens pants because the table is in the way.
Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: It a happy place.  Kathy loves this place and feels welcome, safe.

Richard:
What is the is the weirdest thing you found in God’s Closet: Strange clothes
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: The stuff I have on
What did you think could use improvement: More clothes!  Out with the old in with the new!
Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: To help others.

Mary:
What is the is the weirdest thing you found in God’s Closet: Dolls
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: Books
What did you think could use improvement: Cleaner
Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: To give back to the community

Alicia:
What is the is the weirdest thing you found in God’s Closet: Athletic Supporter
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: A red and black 1950s dress.
What did you think could use improvement: Bigger area and to make it homier.

Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: I love putting things away and I play with toys to find out if kids are going to like them! But the best is putting on different clothes and shoes to dance and act out.

Elma:
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: Dolls
What did you think could use improvement: Cleaner
Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: I like to help people

Yamara:
What is the nicest thing you found in God's Closet: Dress
What did you think could use improvement: More fans
Why do you volunteer for God's Closet: I like the people.  I like to help others!

Thank you to ALL of the Volunteers!