The Back Door Ministry, connected with Christ Church in Rolla, Missouri and its ECW members, is showing the community that there is also a spreading of love during the current COVID-19 pandemic. When social distancing mandates went into effect, the parish was unable to offer a sit-down Sunday meal via their existing Open Door ministry. How could Christ Church members continue to offer conversation and a kind face to those facing food insecurity and homelessness to the community as they previously had before?
Open Door moved to takeout meals only, and literally became a ministry out the back door. The Back Door Ministry utilized a $2500 grant Open Door had received from the New Ventures in Community Ministry program under the Diocese of Missouri. With some hard work and creative ingenuity, the ministry not only tries to help the food insecurity their patrons face, but they also take requests for personal care items, which are filled by donations through online shopping and delivery. Parish members support the requests through Ingatherings. Their first Ingathering was accomplished while the church was closed to worship because of COVID-19. Parishioners bought underwear, socks, and batteries online, and had them shipped to the church.
Although Christ Church members are no longer able to sit down with the people that utilize the program, their meal teams still provide nutritious food from the back door, and Sharon and Larry Meusch still offer that kind face and the contagious love that Christ Church and ECW members offer, literally placing meals and requested items outside the back door of the church every Sunday.
The love of Christ flows though those who meet challenges with new ideas for ministry. Indeed, love is contagious!
Submitted by Deborah Caby, President,
ECW Board, Diocese of Missouri
