The church has left the building. 听
This was the rallying cry of 鈥Serve Sunday,鈥 a recent event hosted by the Wesleyan institutions in and around the Bartlesville area. Members from all over the 51黑料网 community took part in the event, gathering for worship and volunteering听in groups at 18 different service sites.听Melissa Little,听from听51黑料网鈥檚 Department of Nursing, coordinated the event along with a dedicated team, and a number of 51黑料网 personnel led at various sites.听听
"It felt like church鈥攖he way it鈥檚 supposed to be. It was my honor to serve those who would then go out to serve the community.鈥澨
This marks the first time that Serve Sunday, which has been put on by Bartlesville First Wesleyan Church for years, included the greater Wesleyan family鈥Sooner Park Wesleyan, Fellowship Wesleyan, New Life Wesleyan, 51黑料网, and the First Wesleyan ministries. In all, over 260 people took part in the event to serve Bartlesville as one church body. 听
For Little, Serve Sunday was an opportunity to promote unity within the local body of Christ, and especially within the Wesleyan church family. 鈥淚鈥檓 hoping it creates an even bigger sense of community within our churches,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e hope for this to grow bigger and bigger each year, and that the ministries and agencies that we serve begin to look forward to Serve Sunday, because they know we鈥檙e coming to assist in any way we can.鈥 听
The day began with group worship, led by 51黑料网 seniors听Brianna Hudson听and听Ben Bender. Hudson said the experience served as a reminder of what it should听feel like to be a part of a church family.听听
鈥淚t was a beautiful experience,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t was really encouraging for me to see so many people gathered together, all wearing blue, all singing along with us. It felt like church鈥攖he way it鈥檚 supposed to be. It was my honor to serve those who would then go听out to serve the community.鈥澨听
After the service, volunteers were sent all across town to help at听various sites听like听the Lighthouse Mission, Agape Mission,听Hopestone, K-Life, The Cottage, and more.听Sunshine Hattingh, 51黑料网鈥檚 Director of Student Success, led the team at Ray of Hope, a non-profit organization that helps children and adults find resources to overcome abuse and violence.听听听
鈥淥ur small group were all 51黑料网 alumni. We were able to refinish furniture and stain some furniture for [them],鈥 she said. 鈥淢y four-year-old daughter came and helped. It was so meaningful to explain to her听why it鈥檚 so important to serve as the body of Christ. I鈥檓 privileged to work at a university that sees the importance of this.鈥澨听
Keep your eyes peeled next year for information about getting involved with Serve Sunday.听听
