After years of prayer, discussion and work, the year 2001 marked the beginning
of a vital and much needed ministry to our community through the Turner House
on Bailey Circle. As early as the December, 1997 Session meeting, discussions
were underway to purchase what was then the Senior Center. On January 18,
1998, the Session voted to acquire the $10,000.00 down payment for the property
from the Foundation. A congregational meeting was held in February, 1998,
and the congregation voted to buy the property. Discussions regarding the
use of the house almost immediately revolved around outreach ministry. In
March 1998, the Outreach Committee reported that a request had been received
from the
Greenwood Soup Kitchen Board to use the house, and the Session was
asked to begin considering this. On May 9, 1999 the Session approved a priority
list for the Capital Campaign, with the number one priority being the "purchase
and renovation of the Turner House to assist those in need in our community".
On June 20, 1999, the Planning Committee directed the Outreach Committee to
determine possible uses for the building. Two Task Forces, a Listening Committee
and an Outreach Sub-committee worked diligently to prepare a list of potential
users, and resolve issues relating to the use of the building. On June 18,
2000, the Session approved a list of 12 possible uses for the Turner House.
Of those 12, the following agencies have chosen to use the Turner House as
their home:
LOGOS,
an ongoing program of First Presbyterian, uses the dining room on Wednesday
nights.
LOGOS is a mid week program for children in the first through
fifth grades. There are four parts of the program: Bible Study, Playtime,
Worship/choir skills, and Family time. We believe that Bible and theology
are inseparable from worship skills/choir, from play time activities and
from family time. Each of these is part of the others. While Bible study
is considered the heart of the
LOGOS program, it will not, by itself,
produce the dynamic results which we experience. These four parts, plus
Sunday worship, make the whole.
The LEGOZ program was created and developed by the
Christian
Education department of First Presbyterian Church. It serves as the
"building blocks of LOGOS." The children, ages 3-5K, will study
basic Bible lessons, worship skills, learn musical selections, and have
dinner together. They will meet in the Church building and their food will
be prepared at the Turner House.
Consumer Credit Counseling Service is a not-for-profit agency helping
people with Budget and Credit Counseling, Debt Management, Housing Counseling,
and Credit Report Counseling. CCCS is part of the National Foundation for
Credit Counseling, the nation's oldest and largest network of non-profit credit
counseling agencies. Contact is Tammy Keesee at 864 223-8694. Website:
HERE
The Greenwood Soup Kitchen
First organized in 1987, with strong support from this congregation, at
the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, this is truly an ecumenical venture
providing a mid-day meal on Monday through Friday to an average of 75. The
Soup Kitchen moved to the Turner House in March, 2001. In addition to housing
the program, First Presbyterian provides a coordinator and volunteers for
the Friday meal. The Soup Kitchen receives no aid except that given by local
churches, businesses and individuals. Bibles in English and Spanish are offered
to guests. The "Upper Room" is also available to guests.
Several support groups now have regular monthly or annual meetings in the Turner House.
These groups include the Federation of the Blind, Grendel Village Association, Ham Radio
Operators, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, Needler's Quilt Club, Salvation Army, and St. Luke's Church.
Your giving to the Capital Campaign has made this ministry possible. The
purchase price balance of $155,000 as well as the various renovations and
improvements has been paid thanks to your generous giving. Through generous
donations by individuals and Sunday School Classes, the Turner House has been
hospitably furnished for optimum use. The Turner House is an exciting ministry
of our church, and there are many opportunities for each member to get involved.
Please continue to pray for the ministry God is calling us to do there. There
will be much work ahead. Only through faith and prayer will that work be accomplished.
