NEWBERRY COUNTY — All across the county on Saturday, Lutheran church members woke up the dawn and went out to serve the community.
Operation Inasmuch is the name of the project for the Heartland Conference of the South Carolina Synod and this year 28 Lutheran congregations participated within the conference which includes all of Newberry County.
“Twenty eight Lutheran congregations within the Heartland Conference joined together for a day of service ‘unto the least of these’ as stated in Matthew 25. We are striving to be the visible light and love of Christ out in the world,” said Pastor Kathy Harris.
Church members participated in a variety of events such as maintenance and repair work on homes in the county, visiting elderly with the Council on Aging, hosting a yard sale/bake sale/hot dog sale to benefit the Free Medical Clinic of Newberry, Adopt-a-Highway projects along U.S. 76, making hospice pillows for cancer patients, a Boys Farm project, Freedom Hope Lodge and others. There were 48 projects altogether.
At a home on Benedict Street, church members from St. Phillips assisted a homeowner with yard work and heating and air ventilation.
Antonio Lindsey lives in the home and was even assisting the members as he was able.
“I’m so happy, blessed that people give back,” said Lindsey.
One of the volunteers, Valerie Haltiwanger, said her husband works in HVAC and this was just up his alley so he contributed one of his own gifts and gave back.
“We’ll work as long as it takes to finish,” she said.
In the Tractor Supply parking lot, a sale was going on for the benefit of the Free Medical Clinic of Newberry.
Members from Bethlehem Lutheran were helping with this project.
Churches donated used treasures to the sale with all of the proceeds benefiting the clinic. Also, for every $3 raised, $1 is matched through Thrivent Financial.
Sandra Goodman was there with much of her family.
“We just love helping people. My family and I have always participated,” she said. “We want to be a face spreading God’s word.”
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