Churches preparing for ‘Serving the City as One’

Jeff Cianciotto and son Josh work on a project at Inside-Out Ministries. The Cianciottos are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Scores of churches and thousands of volunteers are preparing for ‘Serving the City as One’ on April 13.

Larry and Deborah Ward with Inside-Out Ministries are coordinating the day of volunteer service projects.

For the first year, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Madison Stake, is one of those congregations ready to ‘pay if forward.’

“We feel it is a wonderful opportunity to give hope and joy to others, while sharing the love of Christ. Our church and have been involved with the planning since early February,” Julia A. Fellows said. Fellows serves as public affairs director for the Madison ward.

Four members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are leading projects for landscape beautification at Madison Public Library; ground clearing at Hogan Family YMCA; entertaining and playing games with nursing home residents, along with giving manicures; and painting at West Madison Elementary School.

Similar to preparation at churches across Madison County, the Madison ward’s work “has involved coordinating with the respective organizations to assess their needs,” Fellows said. On Tuesday nights, members have attended planning meetings at CrossPointe Church, “hub site” for Madison.

“After registration takes place, we will continue with calling volunteers to familiarize servants with the needs for that day and supervising the project while ensuring its completion,” Fellows said.

Organizations receiving the volunteer help have acquired or donated most expendable supplies for the projects. “As a church, we are not financially funding the projects as there wasn’t a need,” Fellows said. “Organizational skills, laborers and love are our offerings.”

Fellows and her congregation consider it “a wonderful opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder while partnering with other Christian churches in our community. We understand the complexity of organizing a service day such as this one and appreciate all that CrossPointe Church has done through the years to gather churches together to serve.”

For more information about Serving the City as One, call the Wards at 256-830-5193 or email to larry@inside-outministries.org or visit servingthecityonline.com.