Need a prayer boost?
The county's caring Christians are forming a program to pray with and for folks in the community who feel isolated, anxious and alone during the coronavirus pandemic.
And anyone with a window can join in.
Tom Bowser, of Fishbone Ministries in Butler, said various churches in town are claiming a section of the city and passing out fliers explaining the program, along with red crosses.
Residents can place a red cross in the window, and groups of three people from the church will walk the streets — following social-distancing protocol — and pray for those in houses with a cross in the window.
Residents can come out on their porches for some human interaction or to pray along, from an appropriate distance. Or they can stay inside and prayers will still be said for those in the home, Bowser said.
“I just think rather than waiting until the faith-based groups can get involved with the community again, we can still be out there engaging with the community and bringing that faith in God to the street,” Bowser said.
He said the program is so new it doesn't have an official name yet, but his group spent Thursday handing out fliers and red crosses in the Island neighborhood.
[naviga:h3]Kickoff is Saturday[/naviga:h3]
The group will meet at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fishbone Ministries on Shore Street, where they will break into groups of three.
The groups will walk the neighborhood from Negley Avenue to Shore Street, looking for red crosses in the windows.
“Our plan is to pray for any home we see with that red cross,” Bowser said. “You don't have to be standing on the porch to receive prayer. We are going to do it regardless.”
But the groups will engage with residents from a safe distance and pray or talk with them if the resident chooses.
Bowser said those walking the streets will bring masks and follow social distancing guidelines.
<h3>Sense of community</h3>“Think of how many people in the community live alone and would just like to see a friendly face,” Bowser said. “We want to bring back a sense of community and see each others' faces and interact somewhat, even though at a social distance.”Rick McDeavitt, of Hagan Business Machines on North Main Street Ext., is printing the fliers and crosses for churches and groups who do not have the capacity.McDeavitt, who attends New Testament Baptist Church in Center Township, said he hopes many Christian groups in the county also will participate in the program.“Anybody who is comfortable with going out and talking with people and sharing their faith is welcome,” McDeavitt said.He said in the more rural areas surrounding Butler, each church or group will be free to determine how best to run their program.But the basic premise of putting a red cross in the window will be common to all groups.“I think people would appreciate that there are folks taking time and concern about their spiritual welfare,” McDeavitt said.He said he will keep track of each group's plans regarding location so no groups double up in any neighborhoods.<h3>Other pastors interested</h3>McDeavitt said he has spoken with many pastors around the county who are interested in the program.“The church is taking the opportunity to reach people who might not otherwise be reachable,” McDeavitt said.The Rev. Joel Benson, of Trinity Lutheran Church in Center Township, said a meeting is planned for Monday at his church to discuss the program.“The longer this goes, people are feeling more isolated and disconnected,” Benson said. “They're not getting the human contact we all need.”He said the church has a handful of elderly and shut-in members, many of whom live alone.“Those are the kinds of people I feel especially bad for,” Benson said.He hopes the program will go a long way toward improving the spiritual health of locals who feel alone during the pandemic.“The idea of knowing somebody's praying with or for you is of great value to folks and will help them hopefully feel less disconnected and isolated,” Benson said.Bowser said the group will continue the prayer program until the stay-at-home order is lifted.
