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Capitol Hill Hosts ‘Acts of Kindness’ Day
The Capitol Hill church in Washington, D.C.,
holds various “Acts of Kindness” days throughout
the year where they minister to the Washington,
D.C., community in various ways. Recently, vol-
unteers delivered food and beverages to those
experiencing homelessness, while other volunteers
delivered a hot breakfast to D.C.’s Metropolitan
Police Department. They also distributed cards and
prayed over the officers.
Another team packed 300 bag lunches for three
shelters and Habitat for Humanity volunteers who
were building homes in Southeast D.C. They also
collected more than 150 cans of tuna and canned
peaches for the Holy Name Food pantry.
During the church service, pastors prayed for
uniformed first responders. This “blessing of the
uniforms” honored those serving in the police and
fire departments, as well as medical professionals.
During children’s church, they created cards for
hygiene kits for Thrive DC, a crisis-relief organization.
“Acts of Kindness’ days give our congregation
an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus in
D.C. Going out into the community, actually seeing
where people live, and experiencing the conditions
increases our understanding and helps us become
better servants,” shares Karen Hayes, Capitol Hill's
Community Services Ministries leader.
Robin Sampson, head deacon at the Capitol Hill
church, packs bag lunches during the “Acts of
Kindness” day.
Philadelphia Churches Meet Post-Pandemic Food Needs
When community residents learned they would
no longer receive the extra food assistance they
received during the COVID-19 pandemic, the
Mizpah and New Life churches in Philadelphia
stepped in to fill the gap.
The cut affected many families, and with increas-
ing prices, feared how they would provide food for
their loved ones. Mizpah and Life partnered with
agencies to offer services to this community.
Mizpah hosted The Coalition Against Hunger’s
first VIP pantry tour, in which organizers showcased
how to resource and distribute food, clothing, house
goods and provide other community needs. Howard
Duncan, Mizpah’s pastor, delivered an inspira-
tional message, and Vernessa Wilson, Mizpah’s
Community Services leader, shared how Mizpah is
Community residents line up for food at the Mizpah
church during The Coalition Against Hunger’s first VIP
pantry tour and Hope for Philly Network gathering.
still able to keep their pantry stocked and vibrant
even after the pandemic.
“God spoke to my heart, and | said, ‘If You want
us to do this, You have to protect the team,” says
Wilson. God answered her prayer, and none of her
team contracted COVID-19 during the height of the
pandemic and still today. They continue to serve food
twice a week and look forward to providing even
more resources in the future.
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Allegheny East Exposé is published in the Visitor by the Allegheny East Conference ms P. O. Box 266, Pine Forge, PA 19548
Phone: (610) 326-4610 = visitaec.com ® President, Marcellus T. Robinson m Editor, LaTasha Hewitt
14 | VISITOR July/August 2023