For those who may be of the opinion that churches and Christians are not about the business…Shorter AME in Denver continues “Cutting Through the Crisis.” It’s nice to know that some churches are still about something other than money.
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http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=138625&catid=339?bctid=84448524001
DENVER – At a time when many churches across the country are seeing a decrease in their donations, the members of Shorter Community African Methodist Episcopal Church have increased their giving in an effort to give back.
“We’ve asked the people (of the church) to make an $11,000 sacrifice to the community,” said Shorter Community AME Church Pastor Dr. Timothy Tyler. “The people of this church, their hearts and big and their spirits are great and they’ve done it without complaint.”
The $11,000 will be distributed among dozens of people who are in need of help paying their medical bills. The church calls their program “Cutting Through the Crisis.” Last year, for the first time, the church did the same type of donation but focused its efforts on helping people pay rent, mortgage and utility bills. This year’s funds will go towards covering doctor’s visits, prescriptions and major medical bills.
“Say if you have a doctor’s visit and you pay a copay. Then we will reimburse you every time you have to pay a copay up to $200.”
The major medical bill grants will be $500 each. Two of them will be given away. Some grants will also provide free haircuts and a bag full of groceries (valued at $30) at a cost of $5 for people in need.
“The church has a role to play in helping people in our community and in our church. And we don’t think you have to just look to the government or the president for answers,” said Tyler.
The awarding of the grants will happen at a special church service on May 30th. The service will cap of a week-long schedule of activities aimed at getting people to better understand their health. They include a fitness night and a conference to help answer people’s questions about health care reform.
The grants are awarded to people who are members or non-members of the church. Tyler adds that the church doesn’t require that a grant applicant be a Christian.
“Our goal is not to make you a Christian. Our goal is to BE Christian,” he said.
The church will also give a $1,000 grant to a community organization that will hold a health-related program for the community.
The deadline to apply for a grant is May 14th. Applications can be picked up at Shorter Community AME Church, at 3100 Richard Allen Court in Denver, or accessed via the church’s website at www.shorterame.org (application link: http://www.shorterame.org/images/Prescription%20Doctor%20Co-Pay%20Grant%20Application.pdf )
[Stay tuned…the new mrmokelly.com website is coming to you in 2010. Set your browsers now.]
3 responses to “AME Exposed – Shorter AME Debunks Stereotypes”
Good for them. At least one of our churches is doing the right thing.
I am very proud to be an AME. The work that the Rev. Timothy Tyler and the members of Shorter Community Church Family are continually doing solidifies and actualizes my pride.
Rev. Tyler is truly blooming where is is planted!
Glad to see one AME Pastor seems to really be doing the spiritual work for the betterment of the church and the community, while others under the control and power of the 5th District Bishop, T. Larry Kickland are being sued by the connectional. Maybe Bishop Kirkland needs a refresher course in Biblical principals. Maybe Rev. Tyler could help him remeber what its all about.