Tag Archives: Benton

READ/Literacy Council of Saline County [Arkansas] opens a Benton branch

Posted on by Carol

 

Photo (c) 2012 Mateusz Zagorski.
Licensed through BigStockPhoto.com.

Do you know someone who struggles with reading?
Would you like to help someone learn to read?
The READ/Literacy Council of Saline County recently opened a branch in Benton.

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1485
Malvern, AR 72104

Address:
903 Newcomb
Benton, AR 72015

Contact:
Jane Goodwin
(501) 332-4039
readhelp@sbcglobal.net

Literacy Statistics 

  • Fourteen percent (1+ out of every 10) of U.S. adults lack the most basic literacy skills.
  • Another 29% of adults have only remedial skills. Combine this with the above figure, and 42% of U.S. adults are struggling to read and write.
  • Business reports that 28% of applicants (roughly 1 out of every 4) cannot be considered for jobs because they lack basic literacy skills. Another 14.7% lacking literacy skills are offered remedial training or are given other options. (This total verifies the 42% figure above).

Feed my sheep

Posted on by Carol

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” – John 21:19

As a college graduate in 1994, I was impressed by the words of Bishop Felton E. May. He was a bishop in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference. He inspired me with many of his sermons that encourage people to move beyond “common complacencise” to live a Christ-filled life: a life that is empowered to transform the world with the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Those of us in the church should be encouraged to know who Jesus is and because we know we live for others.

Recently I did something that I have not done in many years – I helped with Stone Soup at Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church. Every other month members of our congregation help to prepare a meal for men and women who may need something to eat. I saw in their faces an appreciation, but little did they know that I got more out of the experience than they did. It was there I learned that knowing Christ is one thing, but living for Christ is something else.

As I reflected on my time at Stone Soup, I remembered the many times that I would go to church programs at 3:00 p.m. on a Sunday afternoon, stay in church for two hours, and have a large fellowship meal. We spent all that time declaring and sharing how much we love and know Jesus when that time could have been spent doing what Jesus told us to do.

Knowing Jesus is one thing – doing something because you know him is something else. Jesus called us to feed his sheep. When we give to the church we are feeding the sheep. When we support [the food bank] and [the Christian care clinic], we are feeding the sheep. When we serve others we are feeding his sheep! May Christ lead us to a great knowledge and empowered application!

Shalom,

Brother Mark

Printed with the permission of Associate Pastor Mark Norman, First United Methodist Church of Benton Arkansas.

Stone Soup

Posted on by Carol

Sunday I participated in Stone Soup. Once every other month, members from First United Methodist Church of Benton travel to Quapaw Methodist Church in downtown Little Rock. Every Sunday, this church provides meals to the homeless. Volunteers from various organizations provide the labor for the program.

When we arrived, we found there’d been a scheduling mishap. Another group had also been requested to help, so we were over-staffed. However, the large number of volunteers made things easy and efficient. I scooped large tubs of potato salad into a metal bin. Others cut onions, heated tubs of barbecue, sliced pound cake, decorated tables with tiny vases of artificial flowers, and wrapped plastic utensils in paper napkins. Later I scooped ice into Styrofoam cups, and then handed the cup to someone else who added iced tea.

Near the door, there was a small disagreement between two men standing at the head of the line. One accused another of cutting in. The woman who runs the pantry spoke to them, assured them that there was plenty for everyone, and things quieted down.

Once everything was in place, people were allowed through the line. There was more than enough for everyone, and anyone who desired could have seconds and thirds. For the most part, the recipients of the meal were friendly, humble, and very appreciative. After finishing his dinner, one man played the piano.

A little boy, the son of a volunteer, went among the tables with a pitcher of tea, refilling empty cups.

When the last person left, metal chairs were folded and stacked on tables. The floors were swept, and the dishes washed. We were only there 2 to 2 1/2 hours.

Definitely something I’ll participate in again.

Other community food banks in Arkansas