CHURCH AND GOVERNMENT WORK TOGETHER
by Stan Griffin

Today the sight of a church working in tandem with the federal government is unexpected, to say the least. A United Methodist church is putting its faith into action instead of simply talking about it. They are obeying a Christian precept that says: "Faith without works is dead." They are doing this with the assistance of a government agency.

This partnership is occuring in Tennessee where the United Methodist Church's Memphis Annual Conference (through their Reelfoot Rural Ministries) has been awarded grants from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. With some of the money, they will improve the living conditions of an elderly lady in a rural area of the state. A volunteer work force will provide the labor, and the grant money will be used for supplies and for professional labor where special skills are needed.

Ruby Erwin is a 76-year-old arthritic widow living in the northwest part of Tennessee in a home inherited from her parents. She is able to meet monthly expenses on a social security check of $565, enough for basic necessities but not enough for badly needed renovations on her house.

"Miss Ruby's" home will be getting an almost complete "makeover": roof; insulation; siding; wiring; plumbing; and completely refurbished rooms (bath, kitchen, living room) as well as new appliances.

Curtis Hudson, youth minister at the First United Methodist Church in nearby Jackson where work teams have originated on previous projects, said: "Missions like this teach our young adults what it means to serve."