Withreach is:
Creating a Holistic Community
The area surrounding Asbury to the south and west is Olde Towne East (OTE), whereas the Northeast Neighborhood lies to the north and east of the church. Olde Towne East is part of the Elm Street Project, a neighborhood renaissance program. Programs for children, youth and low-income families are available through the Northeast Neighborhood Association (NENA) since it also functions as a non-profit organization.
Several years ago members of Asbury with a heart for our neighbors met with residents of Olde Towne East and The Northeast Neighborhood. As a result several church members now attend resident meetings and participate in neighborhood association activities. In the fall of 2011, Friendship Shalom Community, a partnership of local churches, schools, agencies, and organizations, began tutoring Goode Elementary students in grades 2-4. In March 2012 the Shalom Economic Team hosted its first Job Search Skills Training with successful results. We are now seeking ministry partners to address community needs in the areas of multicultural relationships (Multicultural Block Party, August 18) and health & wholeness (Health Fair, September 22). Contact Linda Meanor lmeanor@asburyyork.org or 843-0733.
There is much more we can do in both these neighborhoods to join with the residents in order to bring transformation, unity and holistic community. Ministry partners called to urban service are encouraged to discuss with Linda how new and existing opportunities might intersect with their own spiritual gifts.
Love With No Strings Attached
When we initially met with OTE and NEN neighbors, they shared the need for wholesome activities for children so Asbury started providing games at a variety of community events, such as the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Olde Towne's National Night Out, and Northeast's Annual Block Party. We also join other churches in the Northeast Neighborhood Congregational Alliance (First Presbyterian Church of York, Grace United Methodist, York City Campus of Stillmeadow Church of the Nazarene, Christ Hope Community Church and First Moravian Church) to organize and staff a Vacation Bible School for area children. The VBS is held outdoors at the Alexander D. Goode Elementary School, 251 N. Broad St., for three evenings during the third week of August, and includes Bible stories, crafts, music, games and snacks.
Click here for information about current opportunities to "love on" others simply because He loved us first.
Incarnational
Opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus are available through Children of the Carpenter, Our Daily Bread, the York Rescue Mission, and the Meal Barrel.
