Pinson Ministry helps kids in dire straits

Published 8:00 am Monday, November 29, 2010

A Pinson church is getting creative in finding ways to minister to the community.

New Covenant Fellowship, at 5050 Pinson Valley Parkway, is hosting a Christmas Extravaganza on Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The main purpose of the event is to raise money for the church’s Helping Hands ministry, which gives away food, clothing, paper goods and other items when people are facing emergency situations.

“When they contact our church and need diapers or food, or their house has burned down, our church puts them in touch with the Helping Hands ministry,” said Lisa Underwood, women’s ministry director for New Covenant Fellowship. “Our church is very mission and community minded. We spend a lot of time and money and effort on ministry and mission work,” Underwood said.

However, New Covenant Fellowship has been affected by the economic recession as have many other churches. Underwood said many of the church members have lost their jobs and are unable to support the church as the once did.

As a result, the Helping Hands ministry is finding itself in need.

That is the reason Underwood is organizing the Christmas Extravaganza. All of the proceeds go to Helping Hands, except for a small amount that will go to the church to help with electricity and water bills.

Almost 60 vendors have already signed up to put booths at the event, and Underwood said she is still receiving applications and telephone calls. The deadline to enter has technically passed, but Underwood said she can still sign up a few vendors until she runs out of space.

Booth rental is $5. According to Underwood, there will be many different types of merchandise for sale at the event, including collectible knives, children’s items, photography, original Alabama and Auburn art and prints, baked goods and much more.

Available to children is a Santa Shop, where kids can make Christmas cards while hearing the story of the birth of Jesus. Children can also buy gifts for their parents at the Santa Shop. According to Underwood, no child will leave empty handed, even if he or she has no money.

Entry into the Christmas Extravaganza is $5 per person, with no charge for children ages 10 and younger. The price includes a ticket for free refreshments and a ticket for door prizes.

Underwood said the event is a ministry to vendors, shoppers, children and those who are in need of the Helping Hands program.

To learn more, call Underwood at 681-2065 or email her at underwoodh@bellsouth.net.